'Timing felt right': Peoria High girls basketball coach steps down

Peoria High girls basketball head coach Meechie Edwards is excited about the IHSA changing up its schedule to allow for more games.

According to Edwards, one of his team's greatest accomplishment came in the classroom where they had a 3.2 GPA.

"That's some of things I always hung my hat on," he said. "You got to be a student-athlete, not an athlete student. I really took pride in that."

Edwards says he was reluctant to make the switch from boys to girls basketball, but ultimately members of his first team convinced him.

"I thank God they did come to me," Edwards said, "because not only it was coaching girls, but it taught me to be a better dad to my daughter. ... They believed in you. They would run literally through a brick wall for you. It's all about trust and loyalty."

Peoria High head coach Meechie Edwards consults with his players while the official confer during a break in the action against Peoria Notre Dame in the second half of the Manual Holiday Tournament title game Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at Manual High School. The Lions defeated the Irish 61-54.

Edwards' daughters were a big part of the program. There was at least one Edwards on the roster for 11 seasons, starting with Destini Edwards, then Derria Edwards and finally, Denali Craig-Edwards, who graduated in 2023.

Those memories are something the eldest Edwards didn't take for granted.

"That's something, I know, a lot of people can't say," he said of coaching his kids for just over a decade straight. "I was very, very fortunate for them to be very successful and leaders.

"... It's not about going home to my family. My family was with me in the gym and when I got home. I had the best of both worlds."

Peoria High girls basketball coach Meechie Edwards yells instructions to his players during their game against Peoria Notre Dame in the second half Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 at Peoria High School. The Irish defeated the Lions 60-47.

Edwards won't rule out coaching again some day. He has two younger kids who will be heading to high school in the next few years. Now, he's focused on making them the strongest players possible.

"I do love coaching," he said. "That's my first love. Basketball is my first love."

Peoria High is coming off a 2025-26 season where the Lions went 2-22 overall and 2-8 in Big 12 Conference play, beating only league foes Danville and Urbana. Freshman Saniyah Jones (second team) and sophomore Ciara Stokes (honorable mention) were all-Big 12 players and expected to return.

Edwards could only speculate about his successor.

"Man, I wish I knew," he said. "I'm pretty sure (Peoria High athletics director) Mr. (Ben) Mahan will make a great decision."

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA girls basketball: Peoria High head coach Meechie Edwards resigns