Burgess steps down as Eagle boys' basketball coach

Troy Burgess

After three seasons at the helm, Troy Burgess tendered his resignation as the South Putnam boys' basketball coach on Monday.

The move had been speculated since Burgess stepped down as the Eagle football coach in December, but no official word came until the matter was before the South Putnam School Board for its March meeting.

Burgess led the Eagles to a 26-39 record, including 4-16 this past season. He led South Putnam to double-digit wins in each of his first two years.

"This year we went through some adversity," Burgess said. "Our goal was to improve from the start to the end of the season. That's what we did."

Burgess said he coached every player to play the sport with the type of effort that would make their community proud.

"I tried to get the players to represent our school well and represent the community well," Burgess said. "We were always striving to be competitive. That was our philosophy. Each and every day we played hard. I think if you were a fan of basketball you can see that."

The move appears to have less to do with wins and losses than it does with personal and professional priorities.

When he resigned as football coach after eight seasons and 50 victories, Burgess told the Banner Graphic the decision had to do with spending time with his teenage son and daughter, as well as a chance to "take a back seat" to his wife's growing career.

"I look forward to spending time at home," Burgess said. "I've got a daughter that's a senior, and a son that's a freshman. I look forward to spending time with them.

"My wife has followed me around all these years and she's a very successful business woman. Maybe it's time for me to follow her around."

Additionally, Burgess is in his first year as South Putnam assistant principal in addition to having served as the head coach of two varsity sports.

"You'll miss the day-to-day with the kids," Burgess said. "I've spent almost 30 years here and I'll miss the day-to-day with the kids and the coaches. I've gotten the opportunity to work with some great assistant coaches.

"It's going to be different not seeing them in that setting."