The Meechie Edwards era has ended.
The Peoria High girls basketball head coach confirmed that he’s stepped down following an incredible 19-year run. Edwards won 310 games in his tenure with 14 winning seasons and six times posted 20-plus win campaigns. He’s been a staple on the Peoria High sidelines for 28 seasons, coaching on the boys side for nine years before taking over the girls program prior to the 2007-08 season.
His 2023 team had the highest finish in program history, taking home the Class 3A state third-place trophy.
“Just being honest, I think I just held on just a little bit too long,” Edwards told the Journal Star. “I had a plan, but it was just that time. Time to hit a pause button a little bit. See what else is going on.
“Nothing big or anything of that nature. It’s just more or less, the timing felt right this time.”
And the 1995 Peoria High grad’s reasons weren’t family related either. His wife, Kelly Craig, and daughter, Destini Edwards, were also a part of the program as his assistants.
“It didn’t have anything to do with family because my family was on the bench with me, so it’s nothing like that,” he said. “Just the perfect time.”
Peoria High twice (2020, 2023) tied the school record for wins in a season (29) under Edwards. He had an overall mark of 310-212 (.593). In the five seasons from 2020-2024, he went 115-13 (.898).
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.”
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.”
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: ‘Timing felt right’: Peoria High girls basketball coach steps down
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
