Ed Rigby steps down after one season as Pike Road head football coach

Pike Road, AL – Veteran coach Ed Rigby is stepping aside after one season at the helm of the Pike Road Patriots football program.  

Rigby lead the Patriots to a 7-5 mark in his lone season at Pike Road.  The Montgomery County program was playing their first season in Class 6A after making the jump from 5A prior to the 2022 season.   He took over for former Pike Road coach Patrick Browning who lead the Patriots to a combined 42-7 record including a 23-3 mark in region play, three consecutive region titles and an AHSAA Class 5A championship in 2021. 

The Patriots 2022 campaign ended with in a 22-24 second road playoff loss at Homewood. 

“On this day I am reminded of a famous Billy Graham quote that always rings in my mind “A coach will impact more people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime”.  I woke up this morning thankful and blessed to be a part of such a noble profession as coaching football at the high school level.  I have said it many times over the years that I love what I do; therefore I have never actually “worked” a day in my life.  I had the honor of spending my 31st season of my coaching profession, and 23rd as a high school head coach, as the Head Football Coach of the Pike Road Patriots.  It was an honor to be surrounded by such a group of dedicated players and coaches.  It was an honor to lead the Patriots in their first year in 6A to Pike Road’s first-ever playoff win.  I appreciate the buy-in that I received from the players.  With that being said, I am resigning my position as the Head Football Coach at Pike Road High School at the end of my contract.  I would like to wish the Pike Road School System the very best in finding a coach that can meet the needs of the community.  In closing, to all of the players and coaches, you will always be a part of my life.  Please never hesitate to call me if you need anything.” Rigby released on social media. 

Prior to taking over the Pike Road program, Rigby spent four seasons as the head coach of the Eufaula Tigers.  He lead the 6A Tigers to a 28-18 record and four postseason appearances from 2018-2021.   His first head coaching stop was a five year stint at the hem of the Elba High School program.  His tenure was highlighted by back-to-back appearances in the AHSAA Super 7 Championships and a 2A state title in 2015.  He left Elba with a 53-12 overall record, three region titles and a 31-2 mark in region play.  

Click here to check out the full 2023 Alabama high school football Coaching Carousel. 

Earlier in his career he served as an assistant at Independence High (LA), Northwest Rankin High (MS) and Mendenhall High (MS).  His first head coaching stint was at Louisiana’s Albany High School where he lead his squad to school record for wins in a season and a playoff berth.  His next stop was at Loranger High (LA) where he lead the Wolves to an undefeated district championship and was named Class 2A Coach of the Year.  He spent several seasons in the college ranks with assistant coaching stops at Tabor College (KS), Holmes Community College (MS) and Jackson State University (MS) before accepting the head coaching position at Pensacola, FL’s Tabor High School.  He served as the offensive corrdinaor at Goshen High School in south Alabama before accepting the top job at Elba in 2013.  

Rigby’s head coaching record in Alabama currently stands at 88-35 with 10 postseason appearances, three region crowns and a state championship over 10 seasons.