After nearly a decade of leading the Richmond Raider men’s basketball program, David May will tender his resignation and accept the head coaching position at his alma mater, Pine Forest.

May was expected to formally resign late Monday or early today.

“It all came about pretty quickly,” May said. “I really didn’t have plans on leaving. This was the third time they (Pine Forest) have contacted me since I have been at Richmond.

“I talked to Cory (Satterfield) and Hal (Shuler) about it and my interview was really more of a courtesy thing. But it seemed like a great opportunity. The athletic director and the principal were great. Sometimes change is a good thing.”

According to Shuler, the school will begin the search for a new coach once it receives May’s resignation. In addition to coaching the men’s basketball team, May was slated to coach the men’s and women’s cross country teams this fall and was expected to return as the men’s golf coach in the spring.

While May will return to his hometown of Fayetteville, he admitted it was a difficult decision.

“It was not an easy decision,” he said. “Several times my family talked about leaving, then we decided we should stay, then changed our minds to take the job.”

May compiled a 135-93 record as coach at Richmond, but the Raiders struggled last season finishing with a 9-16 overall and 4-10 in the Mid-Southeastern Conference. May believes with Richmond going into a new conference and having a relatively young team, it was a good opportunity for a change.

“We haven’t been as successful as we wanted recently,” May said. “I thought it was the perfect time to do it. There weren’t 12 seniors coming back, it is going to be a young team, but Richmond is going to be just fine.

“I think it’s time for someone else to take over and lead the program. Leaving is really bittersweet, but I’m excited about starting the next chapter in my life.”

Pine Forest will play in the new Mid-South Conference along with former MSEC members Seventy-First and Jack Britt. May believes heading just a few miles up the road will allow him to be able hit the ground running in his new position.

“I am familiar with the teams and the coaches in the league, so it should be a relatively smooth transition,” May said. “My plans are hopefully to retire at Pine Forest.”

May added he wanted to thank all of the supporters in Richmond County for helping him upgrade the uniforms and the equipment at the school.

“Richmond County is like my second home,” May said. “The people here really go above and beyond for the school.”