Ridgeland High School football coach Kip Klein announced his resignation Thursday.
Klein has coached at the Rossville, Georgia, school for 27 years, the past three as head coach. The Panthers finished 6-5 his first season in charge, earning a region championship and a berth in the GHSA state playoffs. They finished 1-9 a year ago and are 1-7 with an open date this week.
The school released the following statement:
"Coach Kip Klein will be stepping down from his position as head coach of the Ridgeland High School football team at the conclusion of the 2021 football season. The Walker County Board of Education, Superintendent Damon Raines, and the Ridgeland High School administrative team are grateful for Coach Klein's many years of dedication and service to the Panther Nation.
Coach Klein has been an intricate part of 16 state playoff appearances beginning in 1995. Additionally, he has been a member of all 8 region football championships at Ridgeland High School, beginning in 1998. He was defensive coordinator for the 2012 team that played for the AAAA State Championship. He has held the head coach position for the past 3 seasons and won the Region 6-AAAA championship in his first season leading the Panthers.
Walker County Schools in coordination with Ridgeland High School will begin a search for the next head football coach at the conclusion of the 2021 football season."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.