Kendricks lead Oxford to all five of the Boys Track titles (2002, '03, '06, '07, '09) and has produced numerous All-American's, even Nike All-Americans, led athletes to a number of Individual and Relay State Championships and produced one Gatorade Player of the Year in his son Sam Kendricks, currently a Freshmen at Ole Miss and ranked nationally in the Top 20 Pole Vaulters in the world.
His son Sam is likely the reason Coach Kendricks resigned at that post and not both positions, I seriously doubt this year he ever saw Sam compete at any outdoor Track Meet, at least until after the State Meet in Pearl was finished. Here is his statement as to why he resigned (Statement provided by the Oxford Eagle & John Davis):
“With the help of Tim Carter and Johnny Hill, I got started trying to build a first-class track program here at Oxford in 1999. We already had a great cross country program, but over those 13 years, we’ve won 11 State Championships in both track and cross country. We’ve also taken second at State five times. I think that’s a pretty good start,” Kendricks said. “But it’s also been a grind. Thirteen years of coaching year round and hosting 52 on-campus meets plus teaching takes a lot of time away from your family. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with cross country, but we have a unique opportunity with our current staff. We’ve got great young coaches with collegiate track experience. We’re going to move in an outstanding direction for the future of our track program. I will still be in the background as advisor, but I will also get some much-needed time off to renew focus on my family.”
Now it is just a matter as to who will take over the boys job (which has not been stated yet as to who will take over). Perkins could but he's already got Boys Soccer and Girls Track to worry about. Whatever the case, I know Coach Hill will get a good coach. I know one thing that has been consistent is the quality of coaches Oxford has, and it has lead us to a Top 3 finish every year when the All-Sports award is handed out later this summer. I know that whoever the Track coach will be is going to be a quality coach that will keep Boys Track competing for State Championships year in and year out.