When Mark Huggins stepped down recently as Bowdon High School baseball coach, it came after deep consideration that arose in an unlikely way.

Huggins said he was approached by another school system with the opportunity to coach baseball and was considering the situation, which looked good to him.

But as he mulled whether or not to leave the Red Devil program after four years as a player, one as an assistant and the past six as the head coach, Huggins began to consider the toll the sport had taken on his time with his wife and two kids, who are two-and-a-half and four-and-a-half.

While considering what to do about what he called an “inviting” chance, he sat down with his father for breakfast and discussed at length the possibility of leaving coaching altogether.

“I need to spend more time with my kids and my family,” Huggins said.

He will stay on as a teacher at the school, and he added that he will not close the door on getting back into coaching in the future. For now, though, it was a simple equation of getting more time with his wife and kids.

“These are moments that I can’t get back,” Huggins said. “I know baseball will always be there.”

Huggins moved to Bowdon his freshman year of high school, and ever since he has proudly been a Red Devil.

“I fell in love with the place,” Huggins said.

One of the most important things for him even as he will not be coaching is the chance to still be a part of the school and the community.

“I consider myself lucky, really, to be a part of Bowdon High School, Bowdon baseball and the Bowdon community altogether,” Huggins said.

It was a tough conversation when the Bowdon coach had to tell his guys he was stepping away from coaching, but he knows they will still continue to be a meaningful part of his life.

“I’ve always been their biggest fan,” Huggins said. “And that will continue to ring true.”