By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

"I'm going to continue to be a loyal Bulldog fan, it just won't be from the sideline," said Morgan County Defensive Coordinator Allen Crowley following his resignation last week.
After 25 years on the Morgan County sidelines, including the last five seasons serving as the team’s defensive coordinator, Crowley announced to players last Wednesday his plans to get out of the coaching profession in a team meeting held before the start of the school day.
"I've just been so blessed to be a part of this program for the last 25 years," Crowley said. "It's been a big part of my life and [the players] have been a big part of that."
Crowley said he felt like it was the right time for him to go since he thought things within the program were going smoothly at the time of his decision.
"They're a part of something really special," is what he said he told next year's players. "They've got a head coach as dedicated and hardworking as anyone."
Replacing him in the defensive coordinator role is Clint Jenkins, who has most recently served as special teams coach and has seven season under his belt in Morgan County.
"He'll do an outstanding job," Crowley said of his successor. "I wish all future Bulldog teams success and I look forward to seeing them compete on Friday nights."
Crowley said he plans to continue teaching at Morgan County High School.
Meanwhile, Bulldog Head Coach Bill Malone said he's thoroughly enjoyed working with Crowley, who has been at the school since Malone arrived.
"It's been more than a pleasure working with Allen Crowley for 14 years," Malone said. "I'm going to miss his advice and his ability to make adjustments. He did a good job and I wish him luck."
One of the big factors in the timing of his decision, Crowley said, was leaving the team on a good note. Last year's 6-0 sub-region record proved that the Bulldogs were in good shape, Crowley said. During sub-region games last season Crowley's defense held opponent offenses to under two touchdowns, at 13.7 points per game.
However, the highlight of his coaching career at Morgan County, Crowley said, was getting to coach his two sons, Chase and Josh, at the high school level.
Crowley himself also played for the Bulldogs, graduating in 1978.
He spent eight years as head coach at the middle school, held various position coaching posts for twelve years, and five years ago took over the defensive coordinator role.
During his time at Morgan County a handful of different coaches have come through the program including Wayne Bradshaw, Crowley's coach when he was in school, Alvin Richardson, Kenny Moore and most recently Malone.
"They've all been great to me," he said. "They all were incredible coaches."
As for himself now, Crowley said, "I'm going to finish my teaching career and go from there."