By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
David Grimm, who directed the Cummings football team back to championship form, has been fired as the school’s coach.
Grimm was notified last Thursday afternoon that he was out as coach. On that same day, the Alamance-Burlington School System listed the job opening for a Cummings football coach.
Grimm said he had no comment Friday, but would discuss his status soon.
The firing came less than a week since Grimm had been on the practice field with the team as the permitted spring practice window for football wound down.
Within hours after learning of his dismissal as coach, Grimm sent a message to players and their parents. Here’s what it said:
“This is difficult for me to write. Today I was informed that they have decided to move in another direction for Cummings Football. I will cherish my time I spent with you as a coach, teacher, and friend.
“Players, I have always said my family and I will always be your coach if you ever need anything I am here for you. Thanks.”
In Grimm’s five seasons, beginning with the pandemic-adjusted 2020 season that was moved to spring 2021, the Cavaliers had records of 4-3, 9-2-1, 8-4, 9-3, and 8-3.
They won one conference title, shared another championship, finished second twice and placed third in the shortened season. The fall of 2021 league crown marked the first for Cummings since 2011.
Cummings had eight consecutive seasons without a winning record prior to Grimm’s hiring.
Grimm’s five seasons mark the longest stint for a Cummings head coach since Steve Johnson’s last season in 2013 ended a 21-year reign. Under Johnson, the Cavaliers won two state championships and were runners-up three times.
Grimm’s time in charge included the handling of time-consuming topics. One of those was the high-profile recruitment of all-purpose back Jonathan Paylor, who chose North Carolina State and is heading into his second season with the Wolfpack.
Last September’s death of team member Malik Mebane resulted in outpouring of emotions and scheduling adjustments. Grimm had been praised for his handling of that situation.
Grimm remains employed as a marketing teacher at Cummings, Emily-Lynn Adkins, chief communications officer for ABSS, said Friday.
There also was a vacancy for an assistant football coach at Cummings since early May.
In addition to offseason workouts and summer drills, some urgency might be required in hiring the next coach. When Southern Alamance had a football vacancy this winter, there was about a 2½-month period before ABSS approved a new coach.
North Carolina High School Athletic Association schools can conduct their first official practices for the 2025 season July 30. Cummings is scheduled to open the season August 22 at home across cross-city rival Williams.
