HOLLY SPRINGS – Marie Riggs said her husband, David, didn’t have to do a lot of convincing to get her to agree to yet another stint as a coach’s wife. Two seasons away from the game didn’t get 30 years of high school football out of her system. She found she missed the Friday nights at the stadiums and cooking Wednesday night meals for players at her house. So she, along with parents, administrators and players, was there last Tuesday night at Holly Springs High as her husband, David Riggs was introduced as the Golden Hawks’ new coach.

The Riggs, Fuquay-Varina residents, retired two years ago, after helping restore Fuquay-Varina football to prominence and dominance in the Tri-9 conference. David Riggs thought he had capped a 30-year coaching career with three straight conference championships at Fuquay when he stepped down as head coach following the 2007 season. But two years away from the sidelines gave him a chance to rest and recharge. He travelled. He began writing a memoir of his first season as a coach, when he led Raleigh Broughton High to a state championship in 1970. And he had just enough time to start missing the game and the players.

That’s when Holly Springs athletic director, Andy Wheeler called to pick his brain about candidates to replace Golden Hawks coach, Jim Hynus who resigned for personal reasons after starting the program four years ago and leading Holly Springs to a 7-4 season in 2009. Then Wheeler called back, asking if Riggs might be interested.

"It would have to be a very special situation,” Riggs said he told Wheeler. “I really don't want to necessarily go back in the classroom after 30 years. I'm not going to move my wife again. So, one thing led to another and he (Wheeler) said 'Well, that may work out,'"

Wheeler said bringing Riggs to Holly Springs is a win-win for Riggs and Holly Springs.

“I think he brings a lot to the table,” Wheeler said. “I think that - not just for our football athletes, but for everybody – we’re fortunate to have him. I think we’re very, very fortunate to have someone who has his knowledge, his background. You can tell just by talking to him, how much not only he cares for his players, but for his coaches and their families. I think the bar has been set high, but I think he’ll raise it.”

And of course, Riggs’ move could very likely add fuel an already spirited rivalry between Holly Springs and Fuquay which are less than six miles apart in southern Wake County.

“The first year, I think it will probably be a little awkward for Coach Riggs and for us,” Fuquay coach Ryan Habich said.

Riggs said he spoke with Habich and the other Bengals coaches, prior to Tuesday’s announcement. He spent four years with the Bengals coaches at Fuquay. “They’re great, and good friends and we’ll stay close to them,” Riggs said of the Fuquay staff. "It may pick [the rivalry] up another notch, but [the schools] have already created that in basketball, football and the other sports," Riggs said. “I don’t know if me being here, to most people, is going to really matter that much.”

Riggs brings a 175-125 career record to Holly Springs. In his career, he has coached at several Wake County schools including Broughton (1970-72), Athens Drive (1979-81) Cary (1973-78) and Sanderson (1989-91).

For her part, Marie Riggs said it would be difficult for her when the Bengals and Golden Hawks line up to play. She worked at Fuquay while David coached and has good friends at the school and in the community. She said she can’t imagine ever rooting against Fuquay. She’ll just be rooting for Holly Springs, too.