It was three years ago when Kurt Glendenning resigned as Cary High athletics director to pursue his life-long dream of coaching. Now, reality has hit – he’s the head football coach at his alma mater.

His career trajectory at Cary started when he was a student (class of 1980). He returned to Cary to teach in 1987 and has served the school as an athletic trainer for 12 years, athletics director for nine years and an assistant football coach for three years.

“It was an opportunity, really of a lifetime,” Glendenning said. “And I said ‘I’ve got to try this, I’ve got to do it.’”

Glendenning is already a member of the school’s sports hall of fame and is the first alumnus to lead the program since Charlie Maiden.

“What better guy to have on staff than an alumni and a guy that just knows what (the job) is,” athletics director Mike Dunphy said. “Kurt is a good motivator, a good organizer and a good leader, and I think that’s sort of the role he’s going to take.”

Glendenning inherits a program that has made it to 10 straight postseasons and is 25-12 over the past three seasons.

Many of last year’s assistants have already decided to either not return or to follow former coach Ben Kolstad to Sanderson High School. Glendenning said who he hires as coordinators will be integral.

Glendenning admits he doesn’t have a lengthy football background, but his vision for the program and his leadership abilities won over Dunphy.

“There was no doubt at all. It was almost a no-brainer,” said Dunphy of Glendenning’s interview. “The little he lacks in football-specific coaching background he makes up for in every facet.”

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