Just one year after leading A.C. Flora to the AAA state playoffs, Robin Bacon is stepping down as the head football coach of the Falcons. While Flora did struggle to a 3- 7 finish in 2008, the motives for his resignation remain un-clear.

Bacon led the Falcons to the playoffs five times in his ten years at the helm, including a major upset of top- seeded Belton- Honea Path in 2005. Though his total number of wins was 35, it was 22 more victories than A.C. Flora had in the previous decade.

With hard work and dedication to his players and the program, Bacon lifted Flora from rock bottom and transformed it into a program that produced on- field success, college scholarships, and a strong academic reputation.

After this season ended, Bacon had meetings with A.C. Flora principal Richard McClure and athletics director Mike Sisk over concerns with gate receipts, participation, parental input, and the number of expected wins for next season.

McClure explained the meetings as collaborative and said he was seeking input into what it would take to get the Falcons to a six or seven win program.

McClure flatly denied asking for Bacon's resignation and said that after the meetings he fully expected Bacon to be the coach of the Falcons in 2009. McClure received Bacon's letter of resignation while Bacon is participating as an assistant coach at the North- South All Star in Myrtle Beach this week.

McClure had not spoken with Bacon as of the afternoon of December 10 and could not speculate as to the reason for the resignation, but McClure said he had heard that Bacon told the team he resigned for personal, health, and other reasons.

Dreher coach Bill Bacon, Robin's brother said, "Robin is a great coach, and he did a great job at A.C. Flora. He turned the program around despite sub- par facilities. He got his kids scholarships and is a respected coach in the S.C. coaches' ranks. I wonder how many parents have approved of Robin in his ten years. I am sure it outweighs the ones that have attacked him. He will land on his feet."

Columbia High head coach Kemper Amick said, "A.C. Flora is losing a good man. We felt like we had to come to play when we played against Robin's teams. Those kids are losing a good coach, but he'll have any number of opportunities." Amick felt like it was definitely Bacon's decision to resign.

In an email statement released to A.C. Flora parents and students, McClure said, "Coach Bacon has faithfully served our football players, the school, and the community. He is to be commended not just for his selfless service to football but for the qualities of character he consistently models to all students at Flora. Dedication to purpose, to faith, to integrity, and focus on each player's preparation for life, exemplify the demonstrated high standards of Coach Bacon. Please join me in wishing Coach Bacon and his family the very best in all future endeavors."