The thing Im most proud of is to just walk in the gym every day and spend two hours with young people. Its always been a pleasure

Longtime Bowling Green High School boys basketball coach Ernie Simpson retired from teaching and coaching Wednesday morning. According to school officials, Simpson turned in his resignation as coach and retired from teaching effective at the end of the school year, but Simpson said the decision to step down was not entirely his call. Im not crying any sour grapes, but I was forced out, Simpson said. About the only statement I have is that I have no regrets because I did it my way. Simpson coached the Purples for the past 16 seasons, including Fourth Region titles in 1990 and 1991. His teams have won the past four 14th District titles but were beaten in the regional tournament each of those years by Russellville. Simpson also won regional titles at Ashland Paul Blazer (16th Region) in 1980 and Union County (Second Region) in 1977. He steps down with a record of 565 victories and 244 losses. He has worked with many outstanding young men and sent many on to college, Bowling Green Principal Fred Carter said. Whoever takes over for him will have some really big shoes to fill because hes very well respected around the state. Simpson said his assistant coaches, Jesse Ellison and Richard Stonebraker, also were asked to resign. They may or may not be candidates for the assistants jobs depending on who the new head coach is, Carter said. Bowling Green Athletics Director Monroe Joyner said the search for a new coach will begin immediately. My understanding is that its going to be posted and well start the search process. By law we have to post the job for 30 days and then we can start the interview process, Joyner said. We would like to have somebody in place as quick as possible, but there are some restraints that we have to work under because of the law. Simpson said he didnt think his lack of success in recent regional tournaments had anything to do with his resignation. His last official act as head coach was in April when he saw University of Kentucky signee Josh Carrier become the first Bowling Green player to be named Mr. Basketball. Thats a good way to go out, but Ive had a lot of sons here at Bowling Green and many of them have gone on to bigger and better things. Im proud of all of them, Simpson said. The thing that Im most proud of is to just walk in that gym every afternoon and spend two hours with young people. Its always been a pleasure, and its always been fun. Simpson said he has not thought about the possibility of returning to coaching. I havent had time to think about it, but you never say never, he said.