JOHNSTON - Rebel fans may finally exhale and breath a sigh of relief.

Lee Sawyer says he will remain the head football coach at Strom Thurmond High School for the forseeable future.

With five years left before retirement, Sawyer gave the much talked about head coaching vacancy at Greenwood High School (where he once served under the legendary Shell Dula as defensive coordinator) an honest look before deciding the bonds forged at Strom Thurmond ran too deep.

Mr. Sawyer met with members of the local media on Friday for a morning press conference where he read a prepared statement which said "there have been a lot of rumors over the last month about me not returning to Strom Thurmond High School next season. My coaches, my family and myself have been bombarded with questions regarding the head coaching vacancy at Greenwood High School. One of my players asked me about it last week so I need to address the situation. I spent three great years as the defensive coordinator at Greenwood High. I have nothing but love and respect for the football program there. I am also flattered that people would tie my name to such a prestigious job."

Sawyer said he mulled over the Greenwood job for "about a month" before his final decision.

"During the past month, I have conferred with several close friends and colleagues about the possibility of leaving Strom Thurmond for Greenwood," said Mr. Sawyer. "I have spent many hours alone studying the pros and cons of such a move. With that being said, I would like to announce that I am not pursuing the Greenwood High School job or any other job that I may be rumored to take. I am remaining a t Strom Thurmond High School as the head football coach for the 2009 season."

His reasons for staying included his love for his hard-working players (past and present), the tremendous support of the players, parents, his dedicated staff and the support of the school administration.

"I love this job," he said. "I love my past and present players and their parents. I love this school and the communities that feed it. I am very proud of all we have accomplished the last five years. I have five more years remaining before I can retire. I would like to retire the head football coach at Strom Thurmond High School. I know that is not ultimately my decision, but it is my goal. The people here have been very good to me and I would like to repay them with five more years of my best effort. I wish Greenwood High School nothing but the best. I will always be one of their biggest fans, but my heart is right here at Strom Thurmond."

Coach Sawyer said his Rebels had two things any coach would want.

"We have a motto in our football program of "Pride, Class, Courage, and the Will to Win" My players and coaches exemplify that 12 months out of the year," he said. "I am very demanding, but they do whatever is asked of them to uphold those principles. We donÕt have all the material things other schools have but we have two things that can't be bought: huge hearts and a tremendous work ethic. Those are things you just don't find everywhere. In closing, I would like to thank all my former players here for all their hard work and accomplishments. I would like to thank all my coaches for all their hard work. I would like to thank all the parents and fans for their unwavering support and I look forward to the 2009 football season at Strom Thurmond High School."

According to sources with knowledge of the coaching search, Sawyer - had he applied - would have been the leading candidate for the job, which has drawn a diverse and talented group of candidates.