Soddy-Daisy coach Steve Henry

• INTERACTIVE: Germanwings Flight 9525 crash

Steve Henry, wrestling coach at Soddy-Daisy since 1983, has resigned. He met with the team this morning to inform them of his decision.

The popular coach, who became an innovator and a leader in wrestling circles across the state and the region, had rebuked overtures to enter the administrator's field for the last several years but was finally persuaded to take that step beginning in June. He is expected to begin his new career as an assistant to Soddy-Daisy principal John Maynard.

The Trojans had just two losing campaigns in Henry's 27 seasons, his first in 1983 and then three years ago. His best season records were a 30-win campaign in 2006 and a 22-1 performance in 2007.

During his tenure, Soddy-Daisy won four traditional state titles and finished runner-up five times. The Trojans also captured four duals team championships with four runners-up trophies and one third-place finish.

Henry coached 35 state champions and got his first four-time state winner and his first outstanding wrestler this past season in Campbell Lewis.

For more on this story see Thursday's editions of the Times Free Press.

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.