WINDER, Ga. — Mike Hancock has stepped down as Apalachee head football coach.
Hancock announced via an X.com post on Monday, saying he has been struggling with PTSD, anxiety, grief and depression since the Apalachee shooting last September.
"As coaches, we are a prideful group and often times don't seek the help that we need to get better," he said in the post on X. "To be open and honest, I have been struggling with PTSD, anxiety, grief, and depression. I allowed those things to cripple me for the past few months. It is through God's grace and me humbling myself before the cross that I am seeking the mental help and healing that I need to be myself again. I have started attending sessions with a Christian counselor and learning to work through my anxiety, grief, and depression."
The shooting at Apalachee claimed the life of the Wildcat's defensive coordinator, Richard Aspinwall, and the lives of teacher Cristina Irimie and 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.
Hancock, who had been the head coach at Apalachee for the past two seasons, said he is going to step away from coaching for a while to work on his mental health.
"What a journey that it has been on my time at Apalachee High School," he said. "God brought me to this place seven years ago. The past seven years have allowed me to make some great memories and build long-lasting relationships and friendships. After much prayer and seeking spiritual guidance, I have decided to resign my position as the head football coach at The Chee. These last several months have been difficult on me both mentally and physically. And at this time, I need to step away from coaching and work on my mental health.
My new mission is to help other coaches learn to work through any mental health issues that are a struggle for them," the post continued. "Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to talk! To all my former players, I am here for you! Don't ever hesitate to reach out! To my former coaching friends, I am here for you! We need each other! Please reach out or just touch base to catch up!"
