Per the article, Coach Abell said, “I’m going to lean toward [coaching] probably won’t happen again, but I’m not going to shut it off. I love coaching.”

39 years old and stepping away after 6 years as an assistant coach and 12 as a head coach. That sure oughta make a statement about how less and less likely it is for AD's on the coaching hunt to find a coach who's been at it for a long time and who's seen some real success.

This^^^
 

Its getting harder to keep good people in the Coaching profession.

The demands (other than actually coaching) and the lack of administrative backbone in many cases is a tough combo

Absolute class guy. Tough shoes to fill.  

 

Wonderful Coach. He cared about that program and cared about the kids... over the top. I will miss some of those conversations.  It would inspire me when we would talk and he was searching for answers... like crazy,  to help a young man and help his team. 

It is a sad day when a guy like this leaves the profession. 

To Coach Abell and to the guys across the state that continue to fight the tough fight, thank you for what you do for kids and football in Kentucky. 

And... there have been several good coaches and men that have left the profession recently. But, Josh was one that we had talked more recently & frequently about the battles he was fighting. I don't want to make it like the others that have hung it up recently were not quality as well. Part of making this post... just very discouraging as I continue to see such good men get out of coaching football in Kentucky. 

Received more disturbing news today. Cannot share details. But, would not be surprised to see several other coaches make a similar decision.  

He's been coaching basically half of his life and given a ton to the Fern Creek kids and community.  The football coach is much more than a coach and looked to for leadership in so many tangent ways.    I didn't know Coach Abell personally, but I always respected how he did his job and the way his teams played.  

A HUGE loss for Fern Creek and High School football in general.

Good luck going forward Coach Abell!

Hanging it up at 39 is concerning.  Getting tough to find good coaches.  Good luck to Coach Abell.

I have heard they will keep the hire from within, but that is what I've heard. 

Looks like @BobbyKnight was correct. Internal hire!