Marion County High School wasted little time and didn't have to look far to find its new head football coach.
Joey Mathis, offensive coordinator for the Warriors the past two seasons, has accepted an offer to become the program's coach. He replaces Ricky Ross, who after two seasons at Marion left last Wednesday to become the new defensive coordinator at McCallie.
Mathis, 39, helped guide the Warriors to the Class 2A state championship game the past two seasons, with the team averaging more than 40 points each year. Marion has failed to score 30-plus only five times in 29 games since Mathis began calling plays.
"It wasn't a hard decision for me," Mathis said shortly after informing the team of the news Sunday afternoon. "I've been here for two years, and even though I didn't come here with the intention of being a head coach, the players, the other coaches, our administration and the community have really made me feel comfortable.
"My desk is only about six feet from where Rick's was, but it's a huge step. When he left it was unexpected, but I am humbled that the people here have that much confidence and trust in me to take over a program with so much history behind it."
Mathis is a 1995 graduate of Georgia's Calhoun High School, and he was a quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. He then played at Cumberland University, where he roomed with Ross and later began his coaching career as a graduate assistant. He also worked at GHSA programs Adairsville and Pepperell, as well as at Shorter College in Rome, Ga. He has worked as a defensive coordinator and special teams coach as well as offensive coordinator.
The Jasper community was certainly behind the hire, so much so that a large sign reading "Say yes Coach Mathis!" has hung at the courthouse square for several days.
"I saw the sign, and to be honest I was a little embarrassed because I've never been about me," Mathis said. "I'm a behind-the-scenes kind of person who just shows up and goes to work. I was actually surprised that many people in the community even knew who I am, and my wife was teasing me because she knew I wanted to take it down.
"But what a blessing to know I've got that kind of support. This is a football town, and what we've accomplished the last two years can't get done without the community. We've got a great staff and a great bunch of kids coming back, and I know you're only as good as the people around you, so I'm excited to get to work with all of them."
Mathis becomes the Warriors' 10th head coach in the past 20 years. School administrators said Mathis' assurance that he would make a long-term commitment to the program helped solidify him as the choice.
"I feel blessed beyond belief to have somebody of his quality and character take over the program," Marion County principal Sherry Prince said. "I have 100-percent confidence in the job he will do for our program.
"After talking with him, I believe his heart is here and his intention is to stay here and lead our program for some time."
Ross was also the school's athletic director, but that position will be filled at a later date, Prince said. There is also one spot now open on the staff, and that could be filled by a new defensive coordinator.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.