There's never a good time to say goodbye to a program you've been a part of for nine years.
It becomes even tougher when you think you've got a good team coming back the next season.
But that's the scenario for Brad Drehle, who announced Thursday he would be stepping down as the head coach at Blair Oaks to accept the same post at Waynesville High School.
"It was extremely hard to say goodbye," said Drehle, who announced his resignation to administrators earlier in the day and met with the team after school Thursday. "I've got a lot of strong feelings and emotions about these kids. It's been a tremendous nine years.
"Whoever comes in is going to come into a class that's ready to go. It's hard to walk away from them because I feel like we've got a team that's ready to go."
The Falcons went 97-22 in Drehle's tenure, the first eight at the Class 2 level before posting a 9-3 campaign this past fall while moving up to Class 3. Blair Oaks won a state title in 2006, Drehle's first at the school, and finished second in both 2007 and 2012.
Waynesville, which competes at the Class 5 level, was looking for a replacement for Rick Vernon, who retired after 33 years as head coach. The Tigers went 5-5 in the final season under Vernon, who was named to the Missouri Football Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 2006.
Drehle said the Waynesville job has a lot going for it.
"Our facilities are Blair Oaks are incredible for the Class 2 and Class 3 level, and theirs are equal or better, and you're talking about a place where they regularly have kids sign with Division I schools and three have played in the NFL.
"When you're talking about a great coach like Rick Vernon, who has been there for 33 years and built something, you're lucky if you have an opportunity to build on that foundation."
The Waynesville job brings with it a boost in pay for Drehle. He said that was a factor when considering the public school retirement plan, which takes into account your highest-paying three-year span as part of its formula for retirement payments.
"Education is not about making money," he said. "It's not about building buildings, our products are people. ... So for me, it wasn't just about money, but it's a huge factor, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't."
Drehle said the new job came about when Waynesville superintendent Brian Henry, a former college teammate, contacted him to see if he had any suggestions for replacements for Vernon. Not only did Drehle not have any suggestions, he didn't consider it for himself.
But when Drehle and Henry met for a dinner to "catch up," the job came up again and Drehle realized he was interested. It wasn't long until he was offered the job, which brought about the tough decision to leave.
According to a story in the Waynesville Daily Guide, Waynesville Board of Education president LeRoy Fulmer said the school had plenty of applicants for the job.
"The applicant pool read like a Who's Who in high school football coaches in the state of Missouri," Fulmer said. "Our students are great and our facilities are among the best - if not the best - in the state."
Henry added Drehle stood out from the field.
"When you have such a deep and talented pool of applicants, it's a challenge, but for the hiring committee, it came down to coach Drehle's experience and success both on and off the football field," Henry said. "Having known Brad for over 20 years, I have observed the relationships he builds with students, and his concern for developing young people on and off of the field. While he has enjoyed tremendous success on the field, it is his character and commitment to students that make him the right fit for the Waynesville football program. He has the right combination - he's the total package and will create a culture and vision that Waynesville fans are going to love."
Blair Oaks superintendent of schools Jim Jones said in a statement he's thankful for Drehle's efforts.
"We have been blessed to have the opportunity to have Brad and his family as a part of the Blair Oaks family the last nine years," Jones said. "Brad is a winner. Winners are motivated by challenge and opportunity at the highest level. Brad's competitive fire as a coach has motivated him to accept the challenges and opportunities at Waynesville High School.
"Our football program has flourished under his leadership and will continue to do so in the years to come. The student-athletes of Blair Oaks will start a new chapter in their football history next season with a solid foundation for years to come."
Blair Oaks athletic director Ryan Fick echoed those statements.
"The Blair Oaks community appreciates the time and energy coach Drehle gave the football program over the last nine years," Fick said. "He has built great relationships with those that played for him and those that worked alongside him. We thank him for putting his heart and soul into Blair Oaks, and we wish he and his family the best of luck as they move forward."
Drehle will continue his responsibilities as the district's A+ coordinator and his role as a science teacher at the high school through the end of the school year.
When asked about a favorite memory of his time with the Falcons, Drehle didn't name a game or season.
"It's not the wins and losses, it's the way those teams come together," he said. "... It's the way kids work to build a team. We're truly family by the time a season's done."
And while some losses stood out - tough defeats to Clark County (2008), Mark Twain (2010), Lafayette County (2011) and California (2014) - Drehle said he doesn't have any regrets.
"As far as true regrets, I don't regret anything," he said. "I feel like I gave them my heart and my soul and my family."