By By JEFF FISHER / Dowagiac Daily News
EDWARDSBURG – After a season of misfortune and adversity, Edwardsburg varsity basketball coach Jeff Kozinski has decided to step away from the program.
Kozinski, who compiled a 33-74 record in five seasons with the Eddies, submitted a letter of resignation to the school Monday night after the 67-34 district loss to Battle Creek Harper Creek.
School officials accepted the resignation.
"I made the decision due to the fact that there is a difference in philosophies," Kozinski said. "I felt that a basketball program has a better chance of competing when a feeder system is in place for the younger kids in the school – third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades. I love our school district. I love everything about it. But, when it comes to basketball, we need to start younger. I care so much about these kids and I want to do more for them."
Kozinski, 36, informed his players of the decision after the district game.
"It was tough on all of us in the locker room," he said. "Some tears were shed. We put a lot of time and effort into the season. I will miss the kids.
"I will miss basketball," Kozinski continued. "Basketball has been a part of my life since the third grade. I have poured 12 years of my life into the Edwardsburg basketball program. I will be found on the sidelines next year with my own children coaching them. I loved my role as the varsity coach. All of the negatives do not outweigh the positives. I have a burning desire to be a varsity coach again in the future. I'm still pretty young and have a lot of energy and enthusiasm to offer."
Edwardsburg finished the injury-plagued 2006-07 season 4-17 overall and 1-13 in the Lakeland Conference. But through it all, Kozinski was proud of the kids for sticking together and working to get better.
"I hope the next coach is successful," he said. "I love the kids in the program and want what is best for them. I have my own children in the school system and of course I want them to be successful as well."
The Eddies will have seven juniors and one sophomore to work with next season. All have seen time on the hardwood.
Kozinski began his coaching career in the Huntington North (Ind.) system while at Huntington College. He then moved on to the South Bend (Ind.) Clay and Marian programs before coming to Edwardsburg.
He coached the freshman team for five years and the junior varsity for a year before taking over the varsity position in 2002-03.
"I would like to thank Jeff for the hard work he put into the basketball program over the last five years," Edwardsburg Athletic Director Kevin Dean said.