Gardner steps down as South Putnam's head basketball coach

I feel at this time that it is in the best interest of my family to resign and let someone else take over as head coach. I have had the privilege of being able to coach every level of this program starting out in the 1995-96 season under Coach Kieth Puckett. I will never forget the opportunity coach Puckett gave me and the impact that he has had on me. After Coach Puckett I was fortunate to coach under four other head coaches who each taught me more about the game. Without the opportunity to coach under Carl Coons, Wayne Brooks, and Kyle Brewer I would not have been able to have had the opportunity I have had the last 2 years.

In 2006, I was able to take over as head coach and it was a dream come true. In the last two years, I have enjoyed my coaching experience. I feel like each year South Putnam got better and played extremely hard.

Things I will miss are the practices with the kids and the nights after games watching film with the coaches. I really felt like during practices and after games was where the relationships were formed.

In the 13 years of coaching, I have had the opportunity to guide and mentor many young players. I want to personally thank all of those players that worked so hard and have played for me that made these 13 years so special for me. I have been fortunate enough to coach some great kids that I can say I see and talk to still to this day. I want to thank the coaches that I have mentioned before, who have helped guide me throughout my career and my current assistant coaches for all of their help.

As I look back I will have very good memories of all the years including county championships won and the sectional that we won in 2002. More importantly , I am proud of having been part of leading several young men who have become very successful men in their jobs and in their families. I have been so blessed to be able to coach such wonderful players as well as people along the way.

Last but not least, I would like to thank the administration for all of their support, especially in these last couple of years. I will look forward to spending more time with my wife and three daughters with a fourth daughter coming in the summer.