Sesser-Valier head coach Mike Rude announced he is stepping away from the Sesser-Valier sideline on Friday afternoon.  The Red Devils coach has been a coach for the past 55 years, getting his start at Wyanet in north central Illinois in 1970.

A full statement from Rude on his decision can be read here.

Rude first appeared as a head coach in Southern Illinois in 1977 when he took over a struggling Anna-Jonesboro team.  He rebuilt that program by the time he left in 1981.

Rude had other stops at Marion (1982-1991), Johnston City (1991-2006), and Vienna-Gorevile (2009-2013, 2016-2018) before eventually landing at Sesser-Valier in 2019 where he has shared head coaching duties with John Shadowens ever since.

Rude also served as head football coach at the now defunct Morthland College in 2014 and 2015, getting that program up and running and coaching their first season before stepping down.

Rude’s career record sits at 260-190.  His 260 wins is 20th all-time in IHSA history and the most seen by a high school football coach in the Little Egypt region.  He passed former Du Quoin coach Al Martin’s 254 wins earlier this season after the Red Devils defeated Carmi-White County 32-0 in Week 4.

Rude was 51-21 at Sesser-Valier.