McIntosh’s head baseball coach Toby Black is stepping down.

Black announced to his team that he was resigning immediately after McIntosh was eliminated by Jones County in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs Friday.

Since the fall, Black has been serving in the Fayette County administrative internship program. Black is focused on working toward becoming an administrator, plus he would like to spend more time with his family — the two reasons he gave in a phone interview this afternoon for stepping down as McIntosh’s coach.

“I have been in the county’s administrative internship program, starting back in the fall," Black said. "During baseball season this year, I spent three weeks off campus as an administrative intern. I missed practice several times. I need to dedicate my future to improving on some things as an administrator. I would like to spend more time with my family, as well."

Black has been a coach at McIntosh for 18 years. He worked as an assistant football and baseball coach from 1991 until 1996, when he replaced current Fayette County High School baseball coach Glenn Lindsey as McIntosh’s head baseball coach.

During Black’s tenure as McIntosh’s head baseball coach, the Chiefs’ best season was 2004, when they advanced all the way to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual state champion Colquitt County. McIntosh was the only team that won a game against Colquitt in the playoffs that season.

Black also has served as an assistant softball and swimming coach at McIntosh.

When asked what he will miss most about coaching baseball, Black said, “The players, no question.”

“I will miss staying in contact with them, getting to know them over a four-year period and seeing them go to college. Seeing them grow from boys to men, I will miss that.”

As for possibly getting back into coaching, Black said, “This is it. Baseball is such a huge part of my life. I will definitely miss it, but it’s time for me to move on from one area of my life to the next.”

“I have had a great run of 18 years here at McIntosh and have more people to thank than I have time in the day,” Black said in his press release. “I would like to thank all the coaches that I have had the privilege over the years to coach against and with. I would like to thank all the players that have touched my life in a way that most of you will never know and the families of the McIntosh Dugout club for their support and hard work. I have truly been blessed in my association with McIntosh athletics and have enjoyed my time as coach.”

Black stated that he will remain at McIntosh and will pursue a position in the administration.

Black concludes by thanking some individuals for their support.

“Glenn Lindsey, Sam Riddle, Linda North, Jack Prahl, Joe Muck, Bill Ivie, Tom Rosa, Keith Chabot, the list is too long, so to everyone who has touched my life through the great game of Baseball, thank you,” stated Black.

McIntosh made the state playoffs this year as the fourth seed from Region 2-AAAA.

Staff writer Kevin Wandra contributed to this story.