Josh Emmett, who transformed a struggling Brewer High School football program into a playoff team the last two seasons, has resigned to take a teaching and assistant coaching position in Illinois.

Emmett compiled a 17-30 record in his five seasons at Brewer but he has directed the Witches to consecutive 7-3 seasons the past two falls.

The 1988 Brewer High School graduate, who taught physical science at Brewer High, will be an assistant coach at Rock Falls High School (Ill.) and will teach social studies, American studies and will also work with their alternative school.

Emmett lived in Illinois for 10 years and his wife, Angie, is from Illinois.

“It was a real tough decision. I honestly believe the best football is yet to come at Brewer,” said the 33-year-old Emmett. “There’s a ton of talent there and a lot of good coaches. They’re going to continue to win a lot of games the next few years. It’s awfully hard to walk away from it.

“But there’s a real unique opportunity at the school I’m going to. And some old friends of ours are moving back to that area and we’d like to be back with them,” said Emmett. “I’m going back to being a line coach. Having been a head coach will help me be a better assistant.”

Emmett said he will take fond memories of his tenure at Brewer.

“I’ve been real fortunate to have some great kids and great coaches at Brewer. They’ve worked hard and really stuck with it, even when it didn’t look so good from the outside. The kids and coaches stayed real committed to the program,” Emmett said.

“My experience at Brewer was tremendous. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Whoever takes the job is walking into a wonderful situation,” Emmett added.

Emmett suffered through growing pains in his first three seasons at Brewer. The Witches were 0-9 in his first year, 2-7 the following year and 1-8 in 2000.

But the Witches turned the corner in 2001, going 7-2 to earn their first playoff berth in six years. Perennial power Belfast eliminated them in the LTC Class B semifinals 36-8.

The Witches put together another 7-2 season last fall before Leavitt of Turner ousted them in the LTC semis 27-16.

“He has done a great job for us,” said Brewer athletic director Dennis Kiah. “He has worked endless hours to bring our program to a high level of success. The kids have worked real hard to achieve great things because of the attitude he’s instilled in them.

“Another thing he has done is work hand in hand with the youth programs. He has done a lot to help those programs achieve as well,” added Kiah.

Kiah also called Emmett “a really good guy.”

Kiah hopes to replace him as soon as possible.