After 17 years coaching at Manteo High School and 30 years in education, Eddie Twyne plans to retire Dec. 31.

“I knew it was time to retire,” Twyne said. “After you’ve done it for a while you know when it’s time for a change. I have enjoyed the kids and coaching football.”

Twyne began his teaching career at Manteo Middle School. He taught science and history during his first few years and then he moved into a health and physical education position. While at MMS, he coached football and baseball.

Twyne came to MHS in 2007 as a health and physical education teacher. Although this is when he began teaching here, he had already become involved in the school’s athletic program. He first coached at MHS during the 1993-1994 school year. He returned as a coach in the fall of 2000 as an assistant football coach for Walt Davis. Twyne served as an assistant coach until 2006 when Davis left and Twyne took over as head coach.

“I became a coach because I love football and baseball. I played both at Manteo High School and could not imagine coaching anywhere but here,” Twyne said. “I enjoy everything about coaching. It has always been more than a job to me. Growing up in the community, a lot of my players parents are relatives or friends of mine.”

The Manteo schools have been a large part of Twyne’s life. He grew up in the area and graduated from MHS in 1980. During high school he played basketball, tennis and quarterback for the football team. He went on to play football at Fork Union Military Academy and Chowan University. While playing at Chowan he blew out his knee. He later transferred to the University of North Carolina to play, but his knee injury made it hard and he ended up dropping out of college. He got a job in construction for a year and later went to Elizabeth City State University to pursue a degree in health and physical education.

“I got into teaching for a lot of the same reasons I began coaching,” Twyne said. “The number one reason are the students. I have enjoyed working with them for the past 30 years. I have watched many of them go on and become successful at many endeavors. Some went on to play college sports, others started families, it’s fun to see them after years pass and see what they have become. Also, I will miss all my colleagues. It truly has been a pleasure to work with some of the most dedicated professionals in the education business. I wish them the very best.”

Twyne has served as a role model to his students because of what he has taught them on and off the field.

“Coach Twyne was my coach when I played football at Manteo High School, and I have been working with him for two years coaching football,” ISS coordinator Timmy Charity said. “He has helped me as a player and now as a coach to get a better understanding of the knowledge of the game with that I was able to play college football and head coach my own team. I’m going to miss his hard work and dedication.”

Twyne hopes that his students and players have learned to be accountable for their actions and to work hard for the things they want and to not make excuses when they come up short.

Freshman Wolfie Schultz said, “He has taught [us] that you work hard and put everything you have into it and maybe you will get something out of it.”

He also hopes they learned to be respectful to others, to have good sportsmanship, and to depend on their teammates and to not let them down and always give your best in everything you do.

“Coach Twyne has been a great influence to me in my life and has taught me that when things get rough you can’t quit,” senior Shumure Flowers said. “For the most part, I’m going to miss his ability to make practice fun and his energy. One thing that he has taught me that has made me better was that no matter what you do finish it because you never know the next time you can do it.”

While teaching, he’s had the opportunity to teach and coach several different family members. He has had the opportunity to coach both of his sons on the JV and varsity football. He also taught his two step-daughters, Elizabeth and Emily, in health and physical education at MMS. He’s also coached and taught several nieces and nephews throughout the years.

“I’m going to miss him being there for everyone, he cares about every player and student like we are his kids,” senior Chipper McPherson said. “He is my uncle, so I have been around the high school team for years, and he even coached me in middle school baseball.”

As a school teacher and coach, Twyne has maintained a busy schedule. His typical day as a teacher runs from 7am to 4pm During football season, practices run until 6:15. When he has JV football games, he’s here until 11 p.m. On varsity football game days, he’s at school at 6:30 a.m. and he leaves sometime between 10pm and 2 a.m. Twyne’s retirement will change his a lot about his schedule.     

After his retirement becomes official, he plans to work with his wife, Beth, in her real estate business and he hopes to play golf and fish more. Although he’s excited about what the future holds, he knows he will miss what he is leaving behind.

“I’m going to miss the Friday night football games, the competition, the friendships I’ve made over the 30 years with the students, refs and co-workers, but mainly [I’ll miss] coaching football and the students,” Twyne said.

Twyne has had a positive impact on hundreds of students and athletes that have come through the Manteo schools. He has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to making the county’s schools and athletic programs at Manteo something to be proud of.

“I have worked with Coach Twyne since I started working at Manteo High School in 2012, and it will be sad to see him leave because he is so fun to be around and always keeps the mood light,” athletic director Alfie Wheeler said. “Coach Twyne is a product of MHS himself and cares tremendously about this school and the community. There will be a lot of people sad to see him go, but his accomplishments and impacts as a teacher and coach will not be soon forgotten.”