MONTICELLO – After three outstanding years at the helm ofLawrence County High School football, Danny Adams is stepping down.Adams resigned Monday and announced his intentions to seekemployment elsewhere.

In a prepared statement, Adams said, “Lawrence County has been agreat coaching experience for me. I have really enjoyed workingwith three great groups of players the last three years. Theyplayed the game right, gave a good effort and worked hard.

“The championship season was a lifetime highlight. We couldnever have enjoyed such success without the support of a greatadministration; starting at the top with (superintendent) Mr. JohnBull and the board. I also appreciate the great support of theLawrence County fans as well as (principal) Dr. R.C. Firle and(athletic director) Mr. Tony Davis and all of my assistantcoaches.”

In three years Adams compiled a 30-6-0 record, winning the statechampionship in 1999 with a perfect 14-0 record. The Cougars were10-2 in 1998 and made their first-ever state playoff experience.They went 6-4 in 2000.

Adams said his coaching plans were indefinite at this time. “Thecoaching fire still burns pretty hot in my belly. I will probablywind up stumbling around and coaching somewhere, but notnecessarily in Mississippi.”

Adams said he felt the time was right for him to leave LawrenceCounty. “Next year’s team will have six or seven really good seniorplayers. This year’s fine ninth graders will be counted on to stepup. This is a good time for a new man to come in and bring up theseyoungsters in his system. He can raise them like he wants them.These freshmen have a chance to be good.”

In 1999, Adams was recognized as The Daily Leader’sArea Football Coach of the Year.

Adams, 48, is a Jones County native. He graduated from NortheastJones and the University of Southern Mississippi. He began coachingat Beat Four High School in Wayne County, prior to consolidation.He also had coaching stints at Northeast Jones, Greenville, Ala.,and Tuscaloosa Central, He was an assistant coach at Gautier forone year before coming to Lawrence County.

Lawrence County athletic director Tony Davis said, “We haveenjoyed working with Coach Adams. “He did a good job with ourfootball program and he brought a state championship to ourschool.

“We wish him the best in the future,” Davis continued. “He hashad a job offer in Florida.”

Adams coached the Cougars for three years. He applied forseveral different positions during his stay, among them the Pearland Wayne County jobs after the Cougars won the state title in1999.

Davis said applications for a new head football coach will beaccepted until March 7. “The applicant will be allowed to overseethe ninth grade program.”

Adams replaced Mike Smith at Lawrence County in the spring of1998.

Lawrence County is a Division 6-4A member. McComb’s Lee Bramlettretired after leading the Tigers to a 13-1 record and the Class 4Astate championship in 2000. Defensive coordinator Ted Miltonreplace Bramlett.

Other head coaching changes in Division 6-4A have seen ClarenceMorgan of South Pike resign in December and Greg Wall of Brookhavenresign in February. Wall has been approved as head coach at SouthPike after a 5-year stay in Brookhaven.