SARAHSVILLE - At some point, there just comes a time for a change.
After seven years at the helm of the Shenandoah Zeps' football program, Tim Wilson reached that point.
Earlier this month, Wilson informed Noble Local Schools officials that he would be stepping down from his post, citing the need to spend time with his family as the main reason.
"It was a long, tough, drawn out process (to make the decision)," Wilson said. "Ultimately, what the main reason was is I need to get closer to home. I've got two children and two step children, who are involved in activities and attend Cambridge."
Wilson - a 1987 Shadyside High School graduate - spent 17 years total with the Zeps' program, working as an assistant for 10 under Dan Wesson, who is now the principal.
During his time at the helm, Wilson 36-34 overall.
On top of the family matters, Wilson has had trouble filling out a coaching staff, which is key to any good football or athletic program.
"It's not an easy task to get assistant coaches (to Shenandoah) because we don't have any (teaching) jobs to offer right now," Wilson said. "That part weighed on me a lot, too. Every year, I was trying to put a new staff together. It's tough when you've got so much turnover on your coaching staff."
Despite the challenges, Wilson enjoyed his tenure at Shenandoah.
"It was a great experience and a good learning experience," Wilson, who will remain a teacher at Shenandoah, said. "I got to work with a lot of great people. I've always had great support from the administration, and again, this was not an easy decision."
After coming to terms with his decision, Wilson's most difficult phone call was to his parents, Don and Marge, who still live in Shadyside.
"My dad's been my biggest fan, and it hurt having to call and tell him that I was stepping down," Wilson said. "My parents came to all of my games no matter if it was raining, snowing, sleeting. They were behind me every step of the way."
Wilson wasn't out of coaching long after submitting his resignation. Earlier this week, he was hired by new Cambridge head coach Kevin Gunn as the Bobcats' defensive coordinator.
"We met for like three hours the other night, and it's pretty much a done deal," Wilson said. "That puts me in the district where my kids attend school, which is important. My kids wanted to come to my games, but at the same time, they wanted to be with their friends at Cambridge games. Now, they'll be able to come to my games and be with their friends, which made the decision pretty easy. I still love the game of football and this opportunity to be an assistant is going to be great."
