Washington's Sisco resigns as coach

      Leading the Washington High School football program the past eight seasons, head coach Lloyd Sisco has had to have some tough talks with his players over the years.

      This morning in the high school weight room, however, the coach had perhaps his most difficult conversation, breaking the news to a group of his players that he is resigning from his position of coach, as well as his positions as the junior high's assistant principal and athletic director.

      "Like everyone else, they had heard all the talk and scuttlebutt and rumors, so it did not come as a surprise to them," Sisco said.

      Sisco says he will finish out the school year at the junior high, but his future plans are uncertain.

      The coach does know, though, that he will remain just that - a coach. Sisco says that he will likely end up at a college or another high school.

      "It just seemed like the timing was right, and I thought that this was it, this is the time," Sisco said. "There's a couple of opportunities at the college level and there's several at the high school level. So I'm just going to explore and test the waters? We'll see what develops from a professional perspective and eventually make a decision where we're going to coach next year."

      In his tenure with the Demons, Sisco - an Iowa High School Coaches Association Hall of Famer - transformed a middle-of-the-pack program into a state contender. Washington made the playoffs four times since Sisco took over in 1994, including a berth in the semifinals in 1997. Before Sisco, the Demons' only playoff appearance was in 1990.

      "He made a name for Washington football," Washington High School athletic director Doug Dunlap said. "He's the most dedicated coach that I've ever been associated with. I have nothing but respect for him. He's been a tremendous, loyal, dedicated coach who's put his heart and soul into the program, and who has had a tremendous amount of success."

      Sisco, who submitted his resignation to the school board on Monday, also resigned briefly in the summer of 2000 to take a coaching position at Ellsworth Community College. Just a few days later, though, he changed his mind and stayed with Washington.

      Sisco leaves Washington with a 51-26 record. This past season, the Demons finished 4-5.