After guiding the Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots to the playoffs in each of his two seasons at the helm, Craig Kennedy has decided to step down.

Kennedy, a former assistant at Troy University under Mike Murphy, also coached the Pike boys team in 2012-13 and the PLAS JV girls team in both of his seasons.

Kennedy said the decision to leave was personal.

“When I first came to Pike Liberal, I said that I would be here for two years,” said Kennedy. “My son, Hunter, has now graduated and now, as the Good Book says, there is a time and season for everything.”

A stickler for fundamentals and hustle, Kennedy is a firm believer in that hard work is the only way teams will get better.

Kennedy led the JV girls to the state tournament and also had a very successful season with the JV volleyball team.

PLAS head master Becky Baggett said Kennedy asked for, and received a one-year leave of absence.

He looks back on the JV basketball team with fondness.

“This past season with the JV girls was one of the most enjoyable coaching experiences of my life,” Kennedy said. “Their tremendous attitude and effort is what all coaches dream about. I will miss them and wish them all the best in the future. I have met some wonderful young people at Pike.”