By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
PINSON – On Monday, Pinson Valley High School’s Head Football Coach Lee Guess resigned from his position after just one season, citing a work/life balance as the reason for his departure.
A Hewitt Trussville graduate who played his collegiate football at Auburn University, Lee Guess has been at Pinson in some capacity for a while. He served as wide receiver’s coach for 5 years under Matt Glover and Patrick Nix and then transitioned into the Offensive Coordinator role under Sam Shade. When Shade left to become Head Coach at Miles College, Guess served as interim Head Coach. In May, the “interim” tag was removed and Guess was handed the reigns to the Pinson Valley football program.
Guess led the Indians to a 6-4 record in 2022 and a playoff appearance against the 6A runners-up, Mountain Brook. He also coached Seniors TJ Metcalf, who signed with Arkansas, and Amare Thomas, who signed with UAB.
Of his resignation, the coach said, “The responsibilities of a head coach on and off the field are weighty. In my opinion, what makes a successful coach is one who can balance those responsibilities alongside the responsibilities of a spouse and parent. Achieving that balance proved to be very difficult and frankly more than I want to put my family through. So, with much prayer and consideration, I’ve decided to step away from coaching in order to focus on my roles as a husband and father. I can no longer allow my life to be consumed with work at the expense of my family,” he said. “I want to uphold my responsibility as a husband to love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Marriage is a clear example of how the gospel is portrayed, and I can’t sacrifice my relationship with my wife in pursuit of a career that continues to jeopardize that.”
Guess plans to continue teach and be a part of the transition to the new coaching regime. “My plans are to stay at Pinson as a teacher and continue mentoring students and student-athletes in the classroom,” said Guess. “I will continue to serve our players with a strong off-season workout plan until the next head coach is transitioned into that role. I will make every effort to ensure the transition is beneficial for the players and program.”
He closed the letter with gratitude, saying, “I am forever grateful to the coaches who have impacted my life in a positive way. It has been my desire to have that same positive impact for these kids. It was an honor coaching and mentoring your kids this past year. Thank you.”
Pinson hopes to move quickly and have the new head coach in place within the next few weeks.