Ferd Allred is going out on top.

On Thursday, three months after his team won the 3A State Championship, Allred announced his resignation as head coach of Emery High School’s volleyball program, ending his second stint as head coach.

“I took the job wanting to develop a good program for Emery High School and we’ve done that,” said Allred. “I have been doing this for a long time, and it takes a lot of time and energy. I just feel like it is the right time to step away.”

During his second run as head coach, Allred won one state championship and two region titles in four seasons. In those four seasons he finished with an overall record of 85-34, including a 27-13 mark in regional play.

The Lady Spartans became known as a tournament team under Allred. After suffering a loss in the quarterfinals in 2020, the Lady Spartans reached the semifinals in each of the next two seasons, taking home third place in both 2021 and 2022.

Emery finally reached the pinnacle in 2023, defeating the state champion Morgan Trojans in the title game 3-2. The state championship marked the first for the school since 1996.

“Our team’s work ethic and ability to adjust is what stood out to me this season,” said Allred. “To see the girls make the adjustments, step up and play together was so much fun.”

Allred says knowing the program is in the right place to continue trending upwards is what makes walking away easier. The next head coach of the program will have all but four players from the 2023 state championship roster.

“The girls that are coming back will have the opportunity to get back to the finals. I feel bad not being there, but they have the ability to get back and show the next set of girls how to do it.”

Emery High School will look to fill the vacancy soon, with the volleyball job being posted for applicants at a later date.