Kevin Motsinger resigns as New Hanover head football coach after 9 seasons

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Kevin Motsinger has decided to leave after nine years as the head football coach of the New Hanover Wildcats. This was a surprise announcement that caught the Wildcat community off guard due to the success Motsinger had during his time at New Hanover. Motsinger told us he’s primarily leaving in order to focus on spending more time with his family. “It’s hard leaving these kids,” Motsinger told WWAY. “Getting up and talking to 130 young men, you know, that are still kids, they feel like you’re just another man that’s betrayed them. That’s hard. The decision was easy because I chose to bring two children in this world. It’s pretty clear what I needed to do and, right now, my family needs me. This decision to step down is due to my family and it doesn’t involve my health issues.” Motsinger has Crohn’s Disease. He tells us his health issues are under control and it wasn’t a factor in today’s resignation. “A lot of times in the media you hear these guys say they’re getting out for personal reasons. I always hated that. I’m just going to say I’m getting out because it ain’t nobody’s business.”

Kevin Motsinger was 73-43 over nine seasons as the head football coach at New Hanover. The Wildcats were 7-5 in 2014. Motsinger informed his coaching staff on Wednesday morning. The players met with coach Motsinger on Wednesday afternoon. “We’re going to miss him a lot,” New Hanover junior tight end Garrett Walston said. “It’s a sad day for the whole Wildcat football family.” Junior quarterback Burke Estes couldn’t believe the news at first. “He means so much to all of us,” Estes told WWAY. “We won’t be the same team without him. This day is hard, we’ll get through it, but he’ll be greatly missed.”

The search for a new head coach will start on Thursday at New Hanover. AD Keith Moore says he’d like to hire a new head football coach by the end of March.

Kevin Motsinger says he’ll be taking a full year off from teaching and coaching, but he does plan to finish out the current semester at New Hanover. Motsinger thought about taking a year off from coaching in lieu of resigning, but in the end the idea of an interim coach for a year will not be the route for the Wildcats. “The kids need to come first. New Hanover High School needs to come first. I don’t feel that would be right. I don’t feel comfortable doing that.”

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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Ashley High School has an opening for a new head football coach. Head coach Mike Propst is out after a winless campaign in 2014, his first season as the Ashley head coach. More details soon.

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