Gray Collegiate baseball coach Charlie Assey is checking out of coaching after nearly 40 years.

Assey made the decision official on Aug. 16, announcing his decision to step away effective immediately.

“After long consideration, thought and tears, I have decided it is time for me to hang up my bat, ball and glove,” Assey said in a press release announcing the decision.

Assey has been coaching baseball in South Carolina since the ‘80s. He made the tough decision for his health and family. Assey recently had open-heart surgery and was in the hospital for more than a week.

“After 38 years of coaching High School Baseball and being 68 years old, it is time for me to change my focus to the final chapter of my life including 4 grandchildren and my relationship,” Assey said. “After recently laying in a hospital bed for 8 days, being 8 weeks removed from open heart surgery, and several lengthy conversations with my doctors, I have had time to reflect on things that I need to focus on while I still have my health. This is strictly a health and age decision.”

During his time as a coach, Assey made stops at Orangeburg Prep, Mims Academy, Willington Academy, Heathwood Hall and Cardinal Newman. He also coached at Lexington County’s Brookland-Cayce High School from 1988-99 and at Gray Collegiate for the past six seasons.

“Gray Collegiate has been a huge part of my life the last 6 years,” Assey said. “The baseball program is one of the top teams in the state. This has been the most difficult decision to make in my life. To hang up my hat forever from something that has been my entire life dream is tough. Please know that I will always be appreciative of this opportunity to be a War Eagle.”

Assey’s legacy will be felt at both Gray and Brookland-Cayce. The coach has over 500 career wins with more than half coming from one of the two Lexington County schools. He won the 1998 baseball state championship with the Bearcats and appeared in two title series with the War Eagles in 2021 and 2022.

Last season, the War Eagles went 30-8 to qualify for the 2A state tournament. The group made it out of their regional bracket before losing consecutive games to Mid-Carolina and Strom Thurmond in the upper state bracket.

“The last 6 years have meant the world to me,” Assey said. “It made me want to put my feet on the floor every morning. We have enjoyed a successful ride.”

Gray Collegiate principal Brian Newsome said the team will begin its search for the next head coach and look all across the country to find a leader who understands the team has a “wonderful slate of players and assistant coaches that are eager to work hard” while keeping the school’s traditions alive.