Former Plymouth head football coach leaves lasting mark after termination 

PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Following the decision made in a 3 to 2 vote at a Tues. evening Plymouth Community School Corporation (PCSC) board meeting to terminate head football coach Adam Handley, ABC57’s Blake Parker sat down with the former coach to hear what the community’s support has meant to him. 

Handley first stepped onto the Plymouth High School (PHS) field as head football coach in the summer of 2022, inheriting a program that was 0-10. They stayed at 0-10 his first season, but then Handley saw growth, ending this season 4-7, but it wasn’t the success the school was hoping to see. 

“After the season got over, every year you get a post season evaluation…there was a conversation that said we didn’t, we didn’t get enough things done and that’s, again, totally understandable, and they had said ‘would you like to resign’ and I said ‘Unfortunately, I don’t’. I don’t feel it’s the right thing to do, I tell my kids all the time we’re gonna believe in each other, we’re gonna fight for each other and… resigning feels like I’m giving up on my boys,” said Handley. 

So, the decision went to the board. The Tues. meeting was packed to the brim with community members, many speaking in support of Handley, including sports reporter for GIANT FM, Kenny Cramer, who spent a lot of time on the field with Coach Handley. 

“I really feel whenever Handley goes from here on out, they’re getting one, not just a good football coach, but a guy that can lead young men into where they need to go and they will give, he will give that community or wherever he goes a breath of fresh air and he will be successful,” said Cramer. 

Handley’s time with Plymouth High School isn’t finished, he is still teaching Health and Physical Education for the remainder of the school year. His days as head coach are over, but he explained the family he helped create will continue on. 

“They’ve been my boys for the last four years, nothing's going to change that and I’m not going to just give up on them, they’re going, especially my seniors that you know have been here the last four years with me, we’re gonna make sure they graduate, we’re gonna make sure they have a plan after graduation, and make sure that they’re set up for life after high school,” said Handley. 

Handley isn’t sure where his path will lead him next, he said he will follow God’s plan after this year ends, but his message for whoever takes his spot next: keep building the family. 

“They’re gonna fight for whoever, whoever gets the job, I mean that’s definitely what they’ve got instilled in them and they’re something that’s gonna be, it’s gonna be special the next couple years I can tell you that,” said Handley.