Winegarden resigns Dalton job

DALTON, Ga. -- Adam Winegarden's two-year run as head football coach at Dalton High School came to an abrupt end Monday morning when the 32-year-old former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga player handed in his resignation.

Winegarden succeeded current athletic director Ronnie McClurg as head coach in 2008 after spending eight seasons as an assistant coach. He compiled a 14-7 record, taking the Catamounts to the first round of the playoffs this season. Winegarden was recently a finalist for the Perry (Ga.) High School head coaching position but withdrew from consideration before the final decision was made.

A group of boosters, upset that Winegarden was looking elsewhere, met with McClurg, Dalton principal Debbie Freeman and school superintendent Jim Hawkins to attempt to pressure the school into firing the coach. Though McClurg did not confirm such a meeting took place, he did say the school had no intention of letting Winegarden go.

"He had the full support of the administration, and we hate to see him leave," McClurg said Monday. "He's doing what he feels he has to do, and we will support him in that decision. I tried and tried to talk him out of it, but he and his wife prayed about the situation and Adam is a man of faith.

"This is where he feels his family is being led. It would be wrong for me to try and stand in his way. Adam is a classy guy, and he's leaving with class."

Winegarden, in an e-mailed statement, did not comment on the alleged role of the boosters.

"I would like to thank Dalton High School for the many positives that I have experienced here and the many great memories that I will always cherish," he said in the statement. "There has not been a day over the past 10 years that I have not enjoyed working with the young men and striving to make them better. There are great things ahead for Dalton and the young men currently in the program. The players are working hard, have great character and are striving to be their best in the classroom."

Winegarden said he would like to continue coaching and would begin a search immediately for a new job.

"My family follows the values of faith, family and football," he said. "It is imperative that we are obedient to our value system. My family knows that there are great things in store for us as we move ahead and in Dalton as they move forward as well."

McClurg said he and Freeman will form a committee to search for a new coach.