Daniel Robinson, in hat, shows his Spring Creek football team an offensive play to run during the annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp recently held at the University of Mount Olive. Robinson stepped down as the program’s head coach Wednesday. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Daniel Robinson recalled a conversation with a long-time friend who told him that football coaches “have a shelf life.” The friend further explained that leaving a program is difficult, especially when you build lasting relationships with your fellow coaches, players, families and community supporters.
Now, it’s time to pass the torch.
Robinson announced Wednesday that he stepped down as head varsity football coach at Spring Creek. He has accepted an assistant coach position at North Johnston.
His last day in “The Swamp” is July 30.
“It’s a tough choice because I’ve been there on and off, give or take, 10 seasons,” Robinson said. “We, as coaches, never like to walk away from a product when we’d have liked to do a little bit better than we did. But I thought it was time to give someone else a shot, see if they have a formula or remedy that will work there. I think everyone knows the challenges.
“I just need a fresh start and [North Johnston] is a little bit closer for me. You never know when these opportunities are going to come around, but God opened a door for me.”
With the 2023 prep season just 18 days away, Spring Creek principal Wendy Waters and co-athletics director Troy Smothers have found a possible candidate for the job.
Waters plans to conduct an interview within the coming days.
Robinson’s successor will become just the Gators’ fourth head coach in program history.
“This isn’t an easy spot to fill,” Smothers said. “Most people know what they are facing here. The best way to do it [sell the program] is that you have an opportunity to put your stamp on this program. There hasn’t been too much success here for a variety of reasons.
“The next person who comes in can do the things they have in mind. It’s going to take some time to get a foothold.”
Spring Creek launched its varsity program on Aug. 31, 2001.
Directed by then-head coach Roy Whitfield, the Gators produced the program’s lone winning season (6-6) in 2005. That team finished 3-2 in Carolina 1A play.
Robinson, who took over for SC alum Aaron Sanders, felt like the program could have turned the corner six years ago. The program was just starting to take hold. Players competed, showed some grit and the coaching staff headed into the next fall with optimism.
Realignment changed that positive feeling.
The Gators got bumped into the East Central 2A conference with traditional football heavyweights Wallace-Rose Hill, James Kenan, Clinton and Midway.
“Kicking up to 2A killed any momentum we had,” Smothers said. “We had some talent then and some of those kids decided not to play.”
Participation dwindled at the rural school.
Robinson met with then-principal Steve Clingan. After some discussion, the Gators opted to play an independent schedule. The move slightly increased player interest and though it didn’t pay dividends in terms of wins, Spring Creek had regained somewhat of a competitive edge when it joined the newly-formed Neuse Six 2A.
“I’ve been blessed to have had some phenomenal assistant coaches who did a great job to get the kids to compete at the highest level,” Robinson said. “Our goal was to get the team back into the playoffs but the jump to 2A really hurt our program. We have a “small 1A” athlete pool and it’s almost impossible to compete at that level with major sports.”
Ideally, Robinson would like to see Spring Creek administrators hit the reset button and play a JV-only schedule to help build numbers and interest within the program.
Outside sources constructed a new weight room that should draw attention. Smothers said the physical education department has two coaches who understand the need of the weight room and the importance of getting athletes stronger — not only in football, but in all sports.
Strong community support is crucial, too.
“The new coach can come in [and] they’ll have time to build it the way they want to,” Smothers said. “There are no expectations. [The next coach] is going to be facing grown men in this conference. There are some very talented teams and they’re physical.
“You’ve got programs that are established.”
Smothers wants Spring Creek involved in that conversation.
