Two-year Nansemond-Suffolk Academy head football coach Mike Biehl has taken the same position at First Colonial High School.

Biehl will be leaving the NSA program after two years of coaching, in which he went 10-10. Biehl took over the program in 2016 and went 4-6 in his first year, but he turned it around in the second year with a 6-4 record.

The Virginia Beach native was excited about the opportunity to coach back in his hometown but was also saddened to be leaving the NSA program and community.

“It’s really hard having to step away from NSA, especially with us persevering like we have done over the past two seasons,” Biehl said. “I love those guys, no matter how far I am away from them or however long it is before I see them again. That will never change.”

Biehl described the opportunity to coach First Colonial as a dream come true. He had always envisioned one day being able to coach back in his hometown. He played in that same district when he was in high school.

After being offered the job, the now former Saints coach was able to tell his players about his departure the day after. As expected, his players were shocked to hear he was leaving.

“We are talking about 14- to 17-year old kids, they were shocked to hear about the news,” he said. “I’ve been in those same situations as those guys. They did not see it coming. I think for most of that day it was disbelief, and I don’t blame them at all. However, a few days later they have all come around and in one way or another they have wished me luck and told me they understood.”

Biehl has plans to finish out the school year at NSA before moving on full-time to his new team. In his two years, his most enjoyable thing about coaching for NSA was watching the growth.

“To see the growth in those players and to see the culture improve that we started with is the most enjoyable thing in my time there,” Biehl said. “Also, the relationships I’ve made with the players. All those guys you can look back on the battles we have gone through, and those are some of the things that will never change, no matter where I am.”