I took a special interest in him. Because if you were going to be head football coach and you wanted to learn about high school football you went to him.

I wanted to be put in line with the top earners at the football club. I've left it in City's hands, they know my situation - I've made it very clear where I stand. I was told by the chief executive that it was the final offer so I've had no other option. There are no negotiations, so as far as I am concerned my future lies elsewhere.

The surveys showed an interest in volley ball, football and a marching band. We didn't have dance team written on the list but there were a lot of write-ins for a dance team. There was a big interest in the community for football.

Johnny Lewis, I mean, he broke out. We had him in our grasp and he just kept getting away from us. I told them he was going to carry it 30-plus times. We knew it, and we still didn't stop him like we needed to.

We don't want anything to damage our friendship. ... We play golf together, we go to the [North Carolina] coaching clinic together. I'll even spend a night with him and go to an East Carolina football game.

I barely got to work today. People want to talk about it in there. You stop and get gas and people want to talk about it.