Dalton’s McClurg retires

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton High School will have just its fifth head coach in the past 60 years next season. Adam Winegarden was named to succeed the retiring Ronnie McClurg at a special meeting of the Dalton Board of Education Monday.

McClurg, 67, will remain at the school as its athletic director. He ends a coaching career that spanned 39 years, the final 37 with the Catamounts. He succeeded Bill McManus as head coach in 2000 after a 30-year stint as an assistant coach under the legendary Bill Chappell.

McClurg took Dalton to the Class AAAA championship game in his first season, one of five playoff seasons for the Catamounts under his direction. He ends a seven-year run as head coach with a 62-18 record.

McClurg’s final Dalton team went 9-2 and won the Region 7-AAAA championship, and he was named the Times Free Press All-North Georgia Coach of the Year for the second time.

“I’ve been so blessed to have coached so many tremendous kids and with so many great coaches,” McClurg said Monday. “I tell people I’ve never really worked a day in my life. I’ve learned an awful lot from them. It’s been a thrill to coach these kids, and every kid I’ve coached I’ve learned something from.

“I’ve had a great career. If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t change a thing. I just hope Adam has as much fun as I have.”

Winegarden, 30, is an eight-year veteran on the Dalton staff, the final five seasons having served as the team’s offensive coordinator. The Memphis native is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, lettering for the football Mocs in 1997.

Inheriting a program that is in the midst of a state-record 48 consecutive winning seasons, Winegarden understands the responsibilities that go with his new job.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be named as just the fifth head coach in 60 years at Dalton High School,” Winegarden said. “The tradition of winning at the school is known throughout the state, and it’s been achieved with so many great players and coaches. My goal is to uphold the tradition of this school, impact the players in every aspect of their lives and, if possible, take the program to a new level.”

Winegarden will continue to call offensive plays this year and is prepared to lead the Catamounts through spring practice beginning May 12. He said his staff is complete as of now and having McClurg around will be a big help.

“It’s awesome to have him remain as athletic director,” Winegarden said. “He just means so much to our school, the coaches and players. I will definitely use him as a mentor.”