After only two seasons as a Leopard, head football coach Matt Green has announced he will be leaving to take the job as head football coach and athletic director at Marble Falls ISD in Marble Falls, Texas.

At practice this morning Green told his players the news with none of them seeing the move coming.

“It was a shock to everyone on the team,” junior lineman Tommy O’Connor said. “I don’t think anyone is happy about it but we understand that he has to make changes for his new family and his children.”

“It’s sad to see him leave,” sophomore running back Nick Parker said. “The whole team has grown close around him and he was a great coach and role model for us.”

Players in the morning meeting said Green’s decision was based on doing what is best for his children and family.

“It kind of shook the whole team up,” junior cornerback Chris Prudhomme said. “He’s a father like figure to us outside of our homes. We spend hours and hours of time with the coaching staff and it’s just hard to hear him say that he’s leaving. But it’s good because he wanted to be the best father to his children so we respect him for that.”

There has not been word yet on when a new coach will be announced, however Green has told the players and superintendent Ted Moore his news with parents being notified via email.

“It’s obviously a disappointing time because I’ve had him as a coach for the past two years,” sophomore quarterback Bowman Sells said. “But it’s also going to help the team as well as myself grow because we’ll have to step up and stay together through it and through next season.”

Check back for further coverage on Green leaving and any news updates on the subject.