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Liberty High football coach resigns

Markouzis says he wants to spend more time with newborn son

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 | 1:01 p.m.

Coach Markouzis

High School Football

The only coach in the history of Liberty High’s football program has resigned.

Lou Markouzis, who opened the school in 2003, resigned on Monday to spend more time raising his 4-month-old son, he said.

“I could not be a good dad and a good football coach,” Markouzis said. “It isn’t just the practice time on the field. A head coach has to deal with a whole different level of commitment that I couldn’t balance anymore. It wouldn’t have left me with enough time to be a good dad to my little guy.”

Markouzis leaves with a 14-35 record, a mark he said is deceiving considering Liberty has had the lowest enrollment figures of any school in the Las Vegas Valley’s large-school classification.

“I’m very proud of what my staff and I have done the last six year,” he said. “There were a lot of obstacles to overcome and we knew that. I am really proud of the product we put on the field.”

Liberty has yet to reach the postseason but beat nearby rival Silverado for the first time in 2008. The coach said that was the highlight of his tenure.

“That game is something the school will cherish for years,” Markouzis said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@hbcpub.com.

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