Sunday, Jan. 08, 2012

Apex picks Joe Kilby as football coach

Former Cedar Ridge leader looks forward to Tri-Nine challenge.

Cedar Ridge football Joe Kilby has resigned from that position to become the head football coach at Apex High.

Kilby had a 15-11 overall record in his two seasons as the Wolves' head coach and led the program to the 2AA East final in 2010. He succeeds Bob Wolfe, who retired after 18 years as the Apex head coach.

"I have the utmost respect for Bob Wolfe, and he is leaving the program in great shape," said Kilby, who had been a Leesville Road High assistant for two years before taking the Cedar Ridge position.

"Bob Wolfe built a program. He did a great job for the school and I'm excited to get to work building on what he has established."

Kilby, 48, is a native of Canada and has coached in high school or college throughout the U.S., including New York, Texas, Kansas and Virginia. He is the son of a high school coach and has coached for 19 years.

"As a coach, you enjoy new challenges," Kilby said. "Part of it is going to a 4A school and the chance to coach in the Tri-Nine Conference. There are some really great football teams in that league."

Kilby said Apex seems to be a special place.

"I haven't been in North Carolina long, but it is evident to me that Apex has a great community feel," he said. "My wife and I drove along main street and looked at the schools and neighborhoods. You're in Wake County and you're almost in Raleigh, but there is a sense of being in a smaller town."

Kilby said coaching moves are difficult and that it was hard telling his team and Cedar Ridge supporters that he was leaving after two seasons.

"I was on the telephone (Wednesday) night, calling some of the people who had really helped us," Kilby said. "It was not the easiest thing to do to some great people.

"Telling the kids that I wouldn't be their coach next year was sort of like that talk you give after the last game. You know what you want to say from your heart, but for some reason the words never come out right."

It has been a busy year for coaching turnover among high school football programs, and the Tri-Nine Conference was hit hardest.

Panther Creek and Athens Drive of the Tri-Nine are still searching for new head coaches.