Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 9, 1993 TAG: 9301090018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SHAWSVILLE FOOTBALL COACH RETIRES
Jerry Cannaday, one of Timesland's better known coaches, is hanging up his whistle.Cannaday, 60, informed his Shawsville team Friday that he will be giving up football coaching because of family obligations. He will remain as the school's athletic director.
"I had talked with the principal [Nelson Simpkins] at the beginning of the season and told him I might retire after this year," Cannaday said. "I've got 10 grandchildren and one more on the way. I'd like to have a little more time with them."
Cannaday gave up his position as the football coach at Bassett two years ago to take the Shawsville job so he could be with his elderly mother, who lives in Roanoke. He also said this was a reason for giving up coaching.
"I haven't been able to spend the time I wanted to with her," Cannaday said. "This was a hard thing to do because I really enjoyed coaching."
"Every time he mentioned retirement, I said, `Take your time, hoping he'd change his mind.' I can't twist his arm too hard when I know all the reasons behind it," Simpkins said.
Cannaday's most success came at Bassett where the Bengals compiled a 32-27-1 record in six years. Bassett won the Piedmont District championship under Cannaday in 1989 and he coached Maurice DeShazo, who is now Virginia Tech's starting quarterback.
Cannaday was a top athlete for old Jefferson High in Roanoke and then at Virginia Tech.
He gave up a career outside football to coach at Greensville County, where his only team in 1980 went 8-2 and won the Southside District title. He coached three years at Monacan, where he was 7-22. He took over at Shawsville two years ago, and under Cannaday the Shawnees had a 5-15 record.
"We only lose six seniors off this team and we played some freshmen and sophomores this past year. My feeling is that Shawsville's best football will be the year after next," Cannaday said.
The job will be open for applicants, though Cannaday said he had several assistants on his staff "who will make good head coaching material."