SHERIDAN, Ind. – Next fall, for the first time in nearly six decades, Sheridan High School’s football team will play a season without Larry “Bud” Wright as their coach – which he said wasn’t part of his plan.
“They [administrators] said I had a lot of parents and a lot of players that were opposed to me coaching, and either resign or be fired,” Wright explained.
The Hall of Famer said district administrators gave that ultimatum halfway through his 59th season coaching at his alma mater.
“Knowing the situation, it didn’t surprise me,” he added.
Wright said despite leading an overwhelmingly positive career, things began turning sour over the past couple of years, in part due to certain “directives” he said were imposed on the program. So, this week, he handed in a resignation letter.
“I just want them [community members] to know that I was pressured into it, as far as resigning,” Wright said.
Under Wright, Sheridan High School has brought home nine state championships. As a coach, he said he only ever missed two games – once because he was injured.
He was suspended for the other game. Wright confirmed that suspension stemmed from a verbal abuse accusation made against him this season.
“I’d rather not comment on it right now,” Wright said when asked about the accusation.
However, he added that wasn’t the reason for his departure. In a brief statement, Superintendent Dave Mundy said: “During the 2024 season, Sheridan Community Schools worked with Coach Wright regarding his coaching future. After discussion and consultation with his family, Coach Wright agreed that this would be his final season.”
“He sort of made it like that never happened, and it happened,” Wright said. “I’ve got witnesses to that fact.”
The state’s all-time winningest coach said he’s not finished just yet and expects to be coaching on another field next year, with a number of offers already on the table. He just wishes this chapter ended a little differently.
“I’ve had a lot of great players, a lot of great support through the years. I really appreciate it,” Wright said. “I’d like to go down with the fact that I was a player’s coach.”
In total, Bud Wright led Sheridan to more than 460 victories. Where he takes his talents next has yet to be decided.
