LaFAYETTE, Ga. — If Perry Swindall’s resume is any indication, the fortunes of the LaFayette High School football program are about to turn around.
The Walker County Board of Education approved Swindall’s hiring this week to replace Tommy Welch. Swindall has spent his entire coaching career in Alabama, 18 of those years as a head coach, where he produced a 174-54 record at two schools.
Swindall was 79-32 at Class 4A Daleville High where, in nine seasons, he coached the program to four region titles, a state title in 1992 and one runner-up finish. He spent the next seven years at Class 5A Russellville High, where his last six teams went a combined 77-9 and won six consecutive region titles and finished as the state runner-up three times.
He comes to LaFayette after a one-year stint as an assistant coach at powerful Spain Park High in Hoover, Ala.
“He comes to us a very highly-recommended coach,” LaFayette Athletic Director Jeff Suttle said. “We feel very blessed to get him. The kids are ready to get started, and after what they’ve been through the past few seasons, they want to taste some success. Hopefully, Coach Swindall can finish his staff prior to spring practice, though we know he wants to come in and interview some of the guys currently on staff first.”
Welch, who left LaFayette to be the head coach at Franklin County High in Carnesville, Ga., was 4-26 in three seasons with the Ramblers.
Messages left on Swindall’s cell phone were not returned as of Wednesday night.
Lindsey Young is a sports writer at the Chattanooga Times Free Press who started work at the Chattanooga News-Free Press 24 years ago. He covers the Northwest Georgia prep beat and NASCAR. Lindsey’s hometown is Ringgold, Ga., and he graduated from Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. He received an associate’s degree from Dalton Junior College (now Dalton State) and a bachelor’s degree in communications from UTC. He has won several writing awards, including two Tennessee Sports ...
