Sports
Wahama Coach Ed Cromley Retires Unexpectedly
By: Lucas Widman
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Ed Cromley is no longer the head football coach at Wahama High School after retiring this week.
Cromley’s retirement comes as a surprise in the middle of his 19th season at the helm of the Wahama football program. The White Falcons are 5-1 on the season – their only loss came against the now-6-0 Trimble Tomcats in week 2.
Cromley built a football powerhouse in Mason County, especially over the last few seasons of his career. Since joining the TVC-Hocking in 2010, Wahama has won 28 of 29 conference games, including their first 24 games in the league. The White Falcons also won 32 straight games from the end of the 2009 campaign to the beginning of this season.
Wahama is the defending West Virginia state champion in Class A after a 14-0 season in 2012. Cromley’s final full season in red and white will be remembered as the first state championship is school history.
But Cromley’s final season will be remembered as the abrupt end to an illustrious career.
Gridiron Glory was unsuccessful in attempts to reach Cromley via phone Wednesday afternoon.
Cromley told Garrett Cullen of MetroNews in Charleston that stress from the school administration contributed to his decision to step down.
Assistant coach Dave Barr has taken over the White Falcons as the team’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
"I was a head coach in high school for 13 years out of my 25 in coaching," Barr said. "It's not greatly new to me, but it's unexpected. I've promised the kids that I'll try to do the best that I can."
Barr added that he found out he would be the interim head coach Tuesday at noon.
"I have tried hard not to know the details about it simply because I really don't want to talk about it," Barr.
A substitute teacher filled Cromley’s classes Wednesday.
The Wahama athletic department was not immediately available for comment.
The White Falcons will take on Federal Hocking (3-3, 2-2 TVC-Hocking) in this Friday’s homecoming game.