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Football: Crabel steps down at Burlington Central

Rich Crabel knows how to push football players to bring out their best performance.

Pushing pencils? That was his least favorite part of the job.

Citing the ever-expanding administrative duties that come with being a head football coach at the high school level, Burlington Central's coach submitted his letter of resignation during a meeting with athletic director Steve Diversey on Thursday. It took effect Friday.

Crabel said the decision was something he'd been contemplating for weeks since he directed the Rockets to a 6-4 finish and their second playoff appearance in his four years as coach.

"Basically, it comes down to a lot of the things a head football coach has to do outside of coaching, all the paperwork, grading officials, a lot of little things," Crabel said. "The passion and desire to coach is still there. I'd much rather be out on the field than at a desk."

Crabel led Central to a 22-16 record (. 579). The 2014 Rockets lost their first 2 games only to win 6 of 7 to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2011. They lost in the first round to Sterling, 31-20.

Diversey said he was aware Crabel was considering resigning but was nonetheless surprised by the final verdict.

"I was a bit baffled by it," Diversey said. "We met and I told him I thought he still had a lot to bring to the program. It's a sad day on Rocket Hill. He'll be missed on the sidelines. I think he still has a lot more football to coach. I just wish it was at Central."

A business education teacher at Central, Crabel said he will continue in that role.

As for coaching again someday, perhaps as a defensive coordinator, he didn't rule it out. Crabel originally came to Rocket Hill as a defensive coordinator under former coach Dave Smith. He said he will not seek another head coaching position.

"I think to be a head coach you have to have that feeling that you just have to be a head coach," Crabel said. "I just don't have that feeling."

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