There will be nothing that can compare to Friday night lights for Liberty’s John Truby, but he knew it was time to move on.

After eight seasons in charge of Liberty’s football program, Truby resigned Friday afternoon.

The Hurricanes have struggled the past few seasons, going 3-13 combined, including an 0-6 campaign this past fall. He walks away with a 37-46 career mark, but felt the current direction of the program needed a new leader.

“After the last two years of not being as productive as I thought we would be on the field, I just thought it was time for someone else to give it a shot,” said the 38-year-old Truby. “There’s a lot of talent here at Liberty and I think a different voice and leader can get this program back to where it needs to be.”

The Hurricanes reached the District 11 6A playoffs in 2016, 2017, 2018, but lost in the first round each season.

Liberty’s best season under Truby came in 2015 when they went 8-4 and advanced to the District 2/11 subregional semifinals. The Hurricanes lost to Wyoming Valley West 55-35 capping its deepest postseason run during his tenure.

“We thank John for eight years of service to our program,” said Liberty athletic director Fred Harris in a press release. “Our student athletes were lucky to have a coach of John’s character during the last eight seasons. Coach Truby served Liberty with loyalty, professionalism and passion and he will be missed. He worked hard with our athletes to make them better football players and better people and prepared them for the next level. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Truby plans to take the year off from coaching, but will continue being a criminal justice teacher at the high school and hopes to explore other endeavors inside Liberty’s doors.

He hasn’t ruled out coaching in the future, but is content being a dad right now.

“I loved coaching at Liberty and I’m going to miss hearing the bag pipes and our student section on Friday’s,” he said. “I’ll miss the pregame speeches. I love the kids at Liberty and the administration has been great to me. I wish I would have had one last opportunity to play Freedom, but it’s time to give the keys to someone else.”

Truby’s departure marked a historic day for football in District 11 and in Bethlehem [Friday, Nov. 11], as Joe Henrich’s resignation at Bethlehem Catholic, coupled with Truby’s, opens the doors to two of the most prolific jobs in the region.