Eggleston, a 1995 Milford graduate and Special Education teacher at the high school, has coached the girls varsity softball team at Milford for the past five seasons, but will relinquish those duties this season.

In addition, he was the assistant head coach to Spurchise in soccer and coached the boys junior varsity basketball team for the past six seasons.

He also coached the boys junior varsity soccer team at Milford last year in its first year in existence.

``I bleed purple (the school’s color) so this was a very hard decision for me,’’ Eggleston said Tuesday afternoon. ``I teach my players to take chances and not be afraid to make mistakes, and this is just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.’’

Eggleston accumulated a 49-11 record in his first three seasons as head coach of the Milford softball team, including a Tri-Valley title.

Eggleston’s first day at Columbia-Greene was on Wednesday, and also began a grueling few months for the 30-year-old.

``I’m going to teach, then go to J.V. basketball practice, then drive out to Hudson (near Albany) and coach the softball team practice,’’ Eggleston said.

``People have offered to step in and help, but I told my players I made a commitment to them that I want to keep.’’

Eggleston’s teaching and coaching future at Milford is up in the air, he said.

``I may be back at Milford again in the fall, but coaching at the next level is something I really want to try,’’ he said. ``It’s something that if I didn’t do, I would always be wondering `What if?’ But at the same time it’s very difficult.’’

Spurchise, who has coached the boys soccer team for close to 30 years, said he was happy for Eggleston.

``It’s a great opportunity for him,’’ Spurchise said. ``It’s something that in his heart he wanted to try, and I respect him for that.’’

Eggleston almost left a couple of months ago when he was offered the women’s softball and men’s soccer positions at North County Community College in Lake Placid.

``I was offered the job, but they needed an answer in two weeks and it just didn’t work out,’’ he said.

Eggleston said he will miss Milford and the players he has coached.

``I always try to teach accountability and responsibility when I coach, and that matters to me even more than wins and losses,’’ Eggleston said.

``Hopefully, the players will learn a life lesson from this about following your dreams and taking chances. I hope that’s the way they see it.’’

Milford athletic director Lorin Campbell said a search is currently underway for a new varsity softball coach at Milford.

``Losing Gregg is going to be a loss,’’ Campbell said. ``He’s got a great rapport with the kids and he’s come a long way as a coach. But you can’t fault someone for wanting to better themselves.’’