One of North Carolina’s top high school athletic programs will need a new director.

Brian Knab, the current AD at Marvin Ridge High School, announced on Friday that he is stepping down at the conclusion of the school year.

Knab recently won the President’s Award from the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association.

The coach took over the athletic department three years ago. He was previously the AD at Cox Mill High in Cabarrus County for four years (2010-14) and at Ardrey Kell High in Mecklenburg County for eight years (2014-22).

Over the past three years, the Union County school has won 4A state championships across multiple sports. In 2023-24, the Mavericks won the most state championships (3) of any 4A program.

In Knab’s public statement, he said the decision to step down was the best for his family and his health.

Here is the full statement from Knab:

To Mavs Nation,

I have recently made the difficult decision to step down from my role as athletic director at MRHS at the conclusion of this school year. While it was a tough decision because of my passion for working in education-based athletics, I know it is the right decision for my family and health. I have been extremely blessed to work in truly great schools and communities in my 20+ years in education, 17 as an athletic administrator, and I want to thank all of the marvin community, especially our student-athletes and coaches, for an amazing past 3 years full of so many great accomplishments and memories.

Although it won’t be as the AD, I look forward to continuing to serve and support our school community as a parent of three future lady mavs (Trinity – ’29, Morgan – ’31, Addison – ’34). I know Mavs Athletics will continue to thrive and look forward to being a part of it in a new role……And most importantly, with my family!

Go Mavs! Coach Knab