Citing a need to see the football program at North Murray High School reach a different level, athletic director Roger Rainey and the administration relieved coach David Gann of his duties this week.
Gann, who took over a program that had won one game in three seasons, went 18-22 in four years, twice finishing 5-5. The Mountaineers, however, did not reach the playoffs. With a strong group of returning players and a successful middle school program, Rainey believes the time was right for a change.
Coach David Gann works with football players during a summer camp at North Murray High School last July. He was relieved of his coaching duties this week."Coach Gann did a good job of getting our program to where it is, and we really appreciate how hard he worked," Rainey said. "It was a very difficult decision. We just felt the program was kind of at a standstill and it needed a boost to make it to the next level."
Gann, who said he plans to remain at the school as a teacher unless another coaching job becomes available, was surprised by the news.
"When I came in they were 1-29 and we managed to get to the 4-6 and 5-5 mark in four years," he said, "but I guess that's not enough for these guys. We had a young football team with six seniors that won four games and was a game away from the playoffs.
"Somebody will inherit a very good football team and win a lot of games. Our middle school hasn't lost a game in the last two years. It's a good administration with good kids and great facilities, so somebody is going to step into a great situation."
Rainey, who said he already has eight inquiries about the opening, will work with school principal Maria Bradley and the administration to fill the job in what he hopes will be a quick manner.
"We'll post it on Teach Georgia for two weeks and hopefully get some interviews in and close it out in the next few weeks," Rainey said. "We want to get it done as quickly as we can."
GHSA sectionals start
The next phase in the traditional wrestling season in Georgia starts today with the sectional round.
Eight wrestlers in each weight class in classes AAA and up and four in Classes A and AA will advance to the state tournament next week in Duluth, meaning individuals must win two matches before they lose two in order to move on.
The Class AAAA "B" sectional at Ellijay figures to be one of the most hotly contested tournaments in the state, led by host Gilmer, the defending state champion. Gilmer and Heritage each has 12 wrestlers competing in a tournament that normally produces numerous individual state champs.
Calhoun is host for the Class AAA "B" sectional, where area duals champion Ringgold will fight an uphill battle with just nine wrestlers competing. Rockmart leads with 13, followed by Blessed Trinity, Central-Carroll, Rutland and McNair with 12 each. Coahulla Creek has 10 in the field, with Sonoraville having eight and Calhoun seven.
Lovett and Social Circle will be the favorites in the Class AA "A" Sectional at Greatler Atlanta Christian, where Gordon Lee will look to advance all seven of its competitors.
The Class A "B" Sectional at Mount Zion is top heavy with the state's three top teams involved. State duals champion Commerce and runner-up Mount Zion each has 14 wrestlers competing, while Trion has 13.
Foster into TSSAA hall
Former East Ridge and Ooltewah coach and administrator Ed Foster is among the nine members of this year's TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees. He was principal for nearly 25 years at East Ridge and Ooltewah and served on the TSSAA Legislative Council from 1995 to 2009, including 11 years as either president or vice president.
Foster also served as executive director of the Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals since 2009. He is the only inductee from the Chattanooga area in this year's class, which will be honored at the annual luncheon on April 9 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro. Tickets go on sale on March 7 at www.tssaa.org and are $25 each. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Two Indians sign
After thinking there was only an outside shot that he'd have seniors signing national letters of intent, Sequatchie County football coach Adam Caine said Thursday that the Indians wound up with two signees.
Quarterback Houston Mainord and lineman Zane Swanger were pivotal parts of the puzzle as the Indians finished third in the district - on the last night of the season - and advanced to the playoffs.
Mainord will be attending Maryville while Swanger is headed to University of the Cumberlands.