Nomination year: 2024

Nominated by: Doug Strong

Nomination Category: Athletes and Coaches

Sport: Basketball

Years Participated: 2001-Present

Career Summary:

Rob Edwards has solidified himself as one of the greatest coaches of any sport at any school in Clay County.  His record tenure of a quarter-century as head coach of Clay County High School boys basketball alone is impressive.  However, Edwards’ longevity, coupled with the success his players and teams have enjoyed, has created two-and-a-half decades of dominance, kept Clay County fans hungry for more, and made him the winningest coach in local history (538 wins entering 2024-2025).  All told, after 24 completed seasons, Edwards has captured 14 district crowns, 9 region titles, appeared in 14 sectionals, qualified for 9 state tournaments, finished as the 2017 State Runner-up, and won the 2021 State Championship.  

Taking over the program in 2000-2001, Edwards was the fourth in a carousel of head coaches since the departure of Clay County Sports Hall of Famer Thomas Watson 10 years prior.  After a combined record of 17-35 during the first two seasons, Edwards and his 2003 team went 23-10 and qualified for sectional play, which sparked a run of four consecutive years where the same feat was accomplished.  That stretch included his first three district titles and climaxed with a 2006 Region Championship and State Tournament berth.    

2009 saw a sectional elimination, before another State Quarterfinal appearance in 2011.  Then a magical span of eight consecutive seasons began.  From 2015-2022, Edwards delivered Bulldog Nation a combined record of 227-42, seven district titles, six region titles, one State Runner-up, and the program’s historic State Championship.  Along with those group accolades, Edwards’ saw his two finest players, Tyreke Key (2017) and Grant Strong (2021, 2022), win three Mr. Basketball awards.  

The most impressive and lasting aspect of Edwards’ efforts will not be the banners he has hung in Joe Sims Gym over the court that Clay County High School has named after him, but in the guidance and leadership he has provided to so many young men during his career.  Clay County basketball has had an ambassador in Rob Edwards, who has led his program not only successfully, but with integrity.

Nominator comment:

“A guy like Rob Edwards is the reason we have a Clay County Sports Hall of Fame.  Its purpose is to honor our greatest, and he’s clearly one of them.  His numbers speak for themselves.  If Rob Edwards isn’t worthy, then no one is.”