Randall Boldin is Whitwell Tigers' new head football coach

Randall Boldin has been named the new head football coach at Whitwell High School.
Randall Boldin has been named the new head football coach at Whitwell High School.

The promise of stability outweighed a lack of head coaching experience in Whitwell High School's decision to name Randall Boldin its new head football coach.

Boldin was defensive coordinator last season at Whitwell, and the 32-year old has lived in that community for nearly 12 years.

It will be Boldin's first head coaching job and he has just three years of experience as an assistant, but Whitwell principal Teena Casseday said Boldin stood out from dozens of applicants and the four finalists she interviewed.

"He already has a relationship with the kids, and I believe he's ready for the next step as a coach," Casseday said.

"He and his family have lived in our community for a long time, so we know he's not looking to go anywhere else. The biggest thing our program has lacked for years has been consistency, and I believe he will stay here and build the program."

Boldin is the Tigers' ninth head coach in 14 years. He succeeds Tracy Malone, who resigned in late January after just one season. With Boldin's help on the staff, Malone coached the Tigers to a 6-6 record in 2016. After finishing runner-up in its region, Whitwell narrowly lost to Columbia Academy in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

"I see so much potential here," said Boldin, who spent nearly a decade in the Army before working with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program for two years in non-coaching capacities. He then spent two years as an assistant on Malone's staff at East Ridge before joining him at Whitwell last season.

"There's a lot of community support, and the kids work hard," Boldin added. "We've got talent, so all the pieces are in place.

"Whitwell has had a bad run with coaches for a long time, and that's something I want to change. My family and I have made this home, so I plan to provide the stability the football program has lacked. My whole family is excited about this opportunity."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.

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