Former Foley High School head football coach Todd Watson has accepted an offer to join Neal Brown’s staff at Troy University, the school announced Tuesday.

Watson, who served as head coach for the Lions for the last 10 years, will assume an off-the-field role with the Trojans.

It was an opportunity he simply couldn’t pass up, Watson told AL.com.

““It is a bittersweet time, that’s for sure,” Watson told AL.com’s Ben Thomas. “I am excited for this new chapter in my life, but it is tough to leave Foley because this is a special place. I’ve had 10 great years here.”

Watson, who took the helm at Foley in 2005 after serving as an assistant coach at Alba High/Alma Bryant and Hoover, amassed an 80-36 record with the Lions, including nine winning seasons.

The Mobile, Ala., native led Foley to the third round of the state playoffs twice in his stint, most recently in 2014.

Last season, the Lions finished 9-4 in the newly-formed class 7A and upset rival Fairhope in the second round of the playoffs before losing to eventual runner-up Prattville in the third round.

Watson’s best season at Foley came in 2007 when the Lions went 12-1, losing to Prattville in the 6A quarterfinals. Future NFL players Julio Jones and Robert Lester were on that roster.

“This is an opportunity for me to go and be a part of something that is really exciting,” Watson told Thomas. “I think coach Brown will come in and re-energize the program, and he already is well on his way. He’s hired some bright coaching minds around him already. I know Troy is hungry for a winner, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the process.”