Anytime a football coach leaves a program, it is bound to create a ripple effect.
Jim Crowder left Central Holmes almost a month ago, creating a void at the Lexington school.
Crowder spent two years at Central Holmes and came out with a winning record and led the Trojans to their first playoff game in more than 15 years last season.
Crowder left to return to Pillow Academy, where his daughter will enter seventh grade.
“I’m heading back to Pillow,” Crowder said. “We went ahead and announced it on both sides and it’s official now. It was a very tough decision. I have spent two of the very best years of my life at Central Holmes with the people and the players there. The relationships that I have built made it tough to leave. I would have liked to stood there and looked every kid eye to key and told them what led to this decision but these restrictions we are under prevented that. I made as much contact as I could the best way that I could.”
Crowder said he is proud of what he accomplished at Central Holmes, including 13 wins in two seasons and a playoff victory, the first in school history.
“I’m very proud of what we did at Central Holmes,” Crowder said. “We did some great things on the field. I’m proud of the foundation that we built there. Hopefully those kids can continue to be successful in the future. There are great kids with great families there. One thing I’m really thankful for is the administration and their support, in particular Tony Banks. Coach Banks, the board and faculty, they supported me and made my job very easy. I made some lifelong friends while I was there. It’s a great place and tough to leave.”
Taking over for Crowder is former assistant Mitch Womack, who was the offensive line coach last season for the Trojans.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity,” Womack said. “I’m thrilled about the opportunity and excited about the kids we have coming back. Central Holmes is a fun place. My son is excited about it. I really like Central Holmes. My kids like Central Holmes and my family likes Central Holmes.”
