Forrest girls basketball coach Jeremy Jean resigned from his coaching position on Monday, citing personal reasons for his decision.

“Being out of school for the coronavirus made me realize how much I miss out on,” Jean said. “I decided it was time for me to step down from coaching and be more present for my family.”

“My son is starting school next year, and he is playing ball himself. I want to be able to coach him.”

Jean guided the Lady Rockets for 12 seasons, posting a 254-125 overall record with seven 20-win seasons.

Under Jean, the Lady Rockets went 102-44 in district play, including an undefeated 14-0 mark in his second season on the bench.

Jean won four regular season district titles, two district tournament titles, three region tournament crowns, and went 1-2 in sub-state games with his only win coming in his first season when Forrest got payback on Wayne County in a 68-43 win at Chapel Hill.

Wayne County beat Forrest in the first round of the state tournament the season before.

The eventual state champion Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes ousted the Lady Rockets in Jean’s lone state tournament appearance.

“The highs have to be my first year going to the state tourney and the two sub-states after that,” Jean said. “There were some other games in there that were really high points like the 2013 region quarterfinals at Houston County, they were 26-6 and we were 15-17 and we pulled out a win in overtime.”

“Also the 2018 region quarterfinals at Creek Wood, we pulled out a win on a last second tip. They were 26-4 and we were 18-9.”

There were many great players in his 12-year tenure, including 2010 Miss Basketball Beth Hawn and 2,000 point scorer Caitlyn Yost.

“I have been blessed to coach some great players and I have some great memories of their game, but what sticks out to me the most is that all the players gave their all for the team, they didn't let egos get in the way, and they competed every game until the very end,” Jean said. “They never quit. Those are the memories that I will cherish.”

Jean also talked about a couple of the low moments that every coach has to endure.

“The 2010 region semifinal loss to MTCS, who we had beaten by an average of 20 twice that year, the 2012 loss in the first round of district as a two-seed, and the 2015 loss in the first round of district as a four-seed.”

Jean, who was introduced as head Forrest coach on May 26, 2008, was an assistant at Franklin County under John Wild before taking the Forrest position.

“It was a great experience, Forrest and the community of Chapel Hill welcomed me with open arms 12 years ago,” Jean said. “Mike Bishop (Principal) and Scott Delk (Athletic Director) took a chance on a first-year head coach, for that I will always be grateful to them.”

“All of the administrators over those years were very supportive, which made my job easier, and for that I am thankful.”

Jean was also a player on the 1999 state championship team at Moore County.

The search for the new Forrest coach is underway.

Jean talked about his plans for the future, saying, “I will continue teaching while I help my wife expand our childcare business. I will coach some coach pitch baseball, help out with Jr. Pro basketball, and watch my daughter do some tumbling classes. And flip a house or two. I have started to enjoy doing that.”