By Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

The coach who directed Elkin High School’s football program to four state championships this decade has decided to hang up his whistle.

Richard Grissom, who played on the Buckin’ Elks first state title team in 1967, had been the program’s head coach since 1987. A replacement has not yet been named.

Elkin High principal Mark Byrd announced Grissom’s retirement from coaching in a written release Thursday afternoon. The retirement is effective immediately. Grissom retired from his teaching post at the school this past fall.

“We all know what Coach Grissom has meant to students, this school and the entire Elkin community,” Byrd wrote. “While we hate to see him go, we all know that he certainly earned the right to do this when he sees fit.

“Each time that Coach Grissom and I have spoken about this, I have told him he could still change his mind. If he calls today and tells me he has, I would be glad to tear up his retirement paperwork.”

Grissom grew up in Elkin. His father, Blois Grissom, served as principal and football coach for the Buckin’ Elks. The high school stadium was officially dedicated as Grissom Stadium to honor both father and son in 2005.

Grissom coached at Wilkes Central for a time before coming back to Elkin. He had some strong teams in the 1990s but the program really took off in the 2000s.

The Buckin’ Elks benefited greatly when the North Carolina High School Athletic Association divided its member schools into eight classifications for the football playoffs. Elkin won the “small 1A” state championship in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006.

The Elks played in the West Region title game (state semifinals) in 2008 before losing to eventual champion Mount Airy. Grissom’s final team posted an 11-3 record, finishing behind only Starmount in the newly realigned Mountain Valley 1A/2A Conference. Elkin won a pair of playoff games before falling to Robbinsville in the region semifinals (state quarterfinals) in what is now Grissom’s final contest on the sidelines.

Byrd said he and athletic director Tony Duncan will lead the search for Grissom’s replacement.

“We will first look internally, as a successful coaching staff is already in place,” Byrd said. “We will also look to see what, if any, teaching positions will be available next year. The football program is in good hands with the current staff, and we will announce a successor as soon as a decision is made.”

The school plans to honor Grissom and his family for their contributions to the school and community later this year, Byrd said.

Grissom plans to meet with the media to discuss his retirement today.