As far as longtime Victor Valley coach Leland Eudy was concerned, it was time for a change. The 56-year-old Eudy, who has been coaching in the High Desert since 1974, retired from coaching after the Jackrabbits’ season-ending loss to Ridgecrest Burroughs Nov. 13.
Eudy had spent 35 years alternating between Victor Valley High School and Victor Valley College, spending 19 seasons as head coach of the Jackrabbits over three stints. Eudy started his most recent stint at VVHS in 2000, also heading the Jackrabbits from 1983-87 and 1990-93.
“It’s time for a younger man with new ideas to come in here,” Eudy said. “I told the players before the season that this would be my last season and wanted to keep it quiet besides that. I just came to the conclusion that this school and program needed a shot in the arm and some new ideas.”
Eudy gave Victor Valley a shot in the arm in his final season. While the Jackrabbits were eliminated from the playoffs in the finale to Burroughs, but accumulated a 7-3 record and won two rivalry games — The Bell Game over Apple Valley and The Axe against Barstow.
Eudy, who will remain at VVHS as a social studies teacher, has no regrets about leaving coaching.
“I’ve been blessed with a great life and have met a ton of people through coaching,” Eudy said. “These past 35 years have given me lots of great memories and lots of lasting relationships. I’m lucky to have experienced as much as I have.”