Barbara Comeaux never wanted the focus on her the day she decided to step down as Port Neches-Groves’ volleyball coach.

Yet, Thursday was an emotional day for the Rock-A-Noos’ head coach of 47 years.

“I didn’t believe it would get this emotional,” Comeaux said. “This is about what the kids have done in the past.”

Kids from three-plus generations who played volleyball under Comeaux have done a lot, from her very first team in 1972 that marched all the way to a state championship to her 33-win club last fall.

“I was the JV coach at Beaumont French [in 1971], and we played PNG in district,” Comeaux said. “So, I take over the PNG team the following year, and I had to make them believe that they could win state. I told them, if you play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, you can win. If you think you have a chance, go for it.”

PNG beat Big Spring and Lamar Consolidated to win that first state crown.

After 1,272 wins — most all-time in Texas — and three state championships (the other two in 1979 and 1981), Comeaux was ready to “pass the torch,” as she said, to her first varsity assistant (and former Rock-A-Noo), Brittany Fruge.

“It’s time,” Comeaux said often during a phone interview late Thursday. “I love the game. I love the kids. The administration and coaches have been so supportive of these kids over the years. But it was time.”

Fruge graduated from PNG in 2007 and played at Northwestern State, one of Lamar’s Southland Conference foes. She’s been on the staff six seasons and called Comeaux a mentor to her in the coaching business, although Comeaux’s been “a big part” of her life since the age of 12.

“When I came back to Port Neches, my dream was to coach volleyball at PNG,” Fruge said. “She made that a reality for me. I’m really blessed.”

Comeaux is certain Fruge won’t let the fire out of the proverbial torch.

“I have all the confidence in coach Fruge and what she’s done with the program,” Comeaux said.

Passing the torch was on her mind for the past year or two, she said, and the kids wanted to know if the time had come.

“The kids would ask, you’re not retiring, are you?” she said. “It’s a great feeling to know the kids want you.”

Comeaux, however, will not be missing from the halls and gyms of PNG. The Thomas Jefferson High graduate is staying on staff as the girls athletic coordinator and girls golf head coach.

“The district is allowing me to do that, and I am thankful for that,” Comeaux said.

Still, Comeaux insists PNG volleyball is not about her — or at least she doesn’t want it that way.

“I just want it known that the focus is not on me,” she said. “I want it to be on coach Fruge and the program we have this offseason.”

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews