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Get to know Jasper County HFC Ashley Henderson

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Valdosta state student assistant- tight ends, linebackers

Valdosta state grad assistant - running backs

Valdosta high - offensive line & tight ends

Valwood - Head coach 

Thomas county- head coach

Jasper county- head coach

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offense

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

6 region titles, 3 state titles

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Blue collar mentality. We’re gonna bring our lunch box to work everyday and we’re gonna work. It won’t be for everyone and that’s ok.  It takes what it takes.

What other sports do/have you coached?

Wrestling, baseball, golf

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Rick Tomberlin, Chris Hatcher, David dean

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

Coaching with my brother. Also coaching with former teammates or guys I’ve coached.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Be sure your wife is all in. It takes a special lady. My boys have been raised in a locker room as part of the the team cause she’s had them out there. 

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Playing golf. Grilling with the family.

Brag on your family!

Happily married to a great coaches wife of 13 years (Megan). We have 3 boys who are WAO Charlie (11), Jack (8), and Will (5).]

Get to know Alexander HFC Cody Neal

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Harrison HS (2008-2012)- Community Coach

Kennesaw Mountain HS (2014)- WR Coach

South Paulding HS (2015-2021)- WR's/TE's, QB/RB, STC, OC

Grayson HS (2022)- OC

Alexander HS (2023- Present)- HC

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offense. I know that is a very broad answer, but I have been fortunate to play and/or coach in a variety of systems. From the "Wing-T" to "Air-Raid", I love it all!

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

1 region title when I was at Grayson in 2022.

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Our team motto is "Answer The Call". We challenge our kids to answer the call every single day. There will be plenty of days where you want to sleep in, be lazy, and avoid responsibilities. Our challenge is to rise to the occasion and "ATC" in every situation of life.

What other sports do/have you coached?

I coached baseball at South Paulding HS (2015-2020).

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

There are too many to list. I have been extremely fortunate to work for some outstanding coaches. 

Playing for Harrison HS legend Bruce Cobleigh was a great experience. The program was ran so efficiently. Also, the coaches that were on staff were amazing men and coaches. It meant something, and still does, to say you were/are a Hoya!

Coach Andy Scott gave me my first HS coaching job (student teacher) at KMHS. His enthusiasm and love for the game is awesome! I thought he did a great job of developing his coaches on his staff. He wanted to coach the players AND the coaches. This left a lasting impression on me.

Jason Thompson at South Paulding HS had a huge impact on me. The way he came in and turned around the program was incredible. The school and the community started to love football again. To be a part of that change was special!

Adam Carter at Grayson is the best defensive minded coach I have ever been around. His attention to detail is unmatched and he brings the intensity every day. Trying to find success against his stack defense at practice was very challenging, but it made me a better coach.

There are countless others who have helped me along the way. Those men know who they are and I am very thankful for them.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

When I was at South Paulding, we beat North Atlanta HS in the first round of the state playoffs. In the moment, it was such a good feeling. We had been in "rebuilding" mode and played with so many young players the previous year. To watch the joy of our kids, fans, and community after that win was special! As the time ran out, I remember the coaching staff all looking around at each other and just thinking "we did it!". All the hard work had paid off!

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Learn everything you can about running a football program (booster clubs, physicals/eligibility, discipline, etc.). Ask your current head coach, or friends, about what works and what doesn't. Remember, every school is different. Just because an idea worked at one school, doesn't mean it will work at another. But try to prepare yourself for every possible situation. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help! There are a lot of smart coaches out there. Use them! 

Also, be humble. Never be "too big" to do the little things. If the laundry needs to be flipped, then do it. We are all part of the same staff and working towards the same goal.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Just being around my family and hanging out with them. We love taking our boys to the park and spending as much time with them as we can. I am learning quickly how fast time flies when you have small children. When I am not at football, I am with my family.

Brag on your family!

God has blessed me with an incredible family. My amazing wife, Sarah, and I have been married since 2017. She stays at home and takes care of our two boys Luke (3) and Noah (1). I am so thankful and couldn't imagine life without them!

Get to know Richmond Hill HFC Matt LeZotte

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Aquinas High School - Augusta, GA - OC (2 yrs) Head Coach (4 yrs)

Wayne County HS - Jesup, GA - Assistant Head Coach (2 yrs)

Richmond Hill HS - Richmond Hill, GA - Head Coach - 2015-Current

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Kicking Game and Offense - been a play caller/fixer most of my career

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

2 Region Titles - 1 Region Co-Champ (3 way tie) - Played in the Semis twice (WC and RH)

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Build The Hill - conscious decisions daily that help build our team, school and community rather than breaking it down.  Our goal is to be at the forefront of bring our athletic dept, school and community together, pulling in the same direction.

What other sports do/have you coached?

MS Girls Basketball, Rifle, Track, Soccer, Baseball

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Mickey Matthews - Head Football Coach while at JMU

Tony LeZotte - current RH DC

Curt Newsome - HC Emory and Henry - Asst at JMU

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

Beating Wilcox County in the 2nd Round in 2011.  They had won 50+ straight home games. 

Another is the 6A semifinals while coaching at Richmond Hill........ at a place where most of my peers discouraged me from taking the job

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Be careful what you ask for and who you surround yourself with.  Changing adults behaviors who have bad coaching habits is a tough task.  You must have a plan of action for every situation under the sun, and be willing to adapt fairly on the fly when you don't.  Notice I didn't mention X's and O's at all, think about that.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Hunting/Fishing and Golf

Brag on your family!

I have a beautiful wife, Lindsay, who is the strongest person I've ever been around.  She is a breast cancer survivor and a true coaches wife. She has relentlessly allowed me to follow my dreams as a coach while always being supportive.  I have two amazing daughters Lucy (11) and Alice (8) who love school and athletics.  I love supporting their extracurriculars and competitions.  I'm always ready to fight to keep their sports true.  I have a 6 year old son, Tate, who is into everything sports related.  Whips his dirt bike around the neighborhood and changes clothes about 4 times a day into a different uniform.  Loves soccer, baseball and basketball.  Most importantly, all 4 are my biggest fans on Friday nights and being able to share this profession is an amazing experience.

Get to know McNair HFC Mario Drayton

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Berrien-DBs, Hamilton County, FL-WRs, OC, AHC,  Valwood-WRs, Offensive Coodinator, Cook-DBs, TCC-Slot WRs, Lowndes-WRs

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offense and positional WRs

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

5 Region Titles, 2 State Titles

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Out Work Everyone is the what my program and my position groups have lived by since I started.

What other sports do/have you coached?

Basketball, Baseball, and Track & Field

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Ross New, Mike Pittman, Blair Armstrong

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

2009-2014 Hamilton County.  Going from winless to making to the state title game in 2014 doing the right way.  The things we went through in between those years shaped me in every way.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Do it your way.  You will work for other coaches and want to emulate to a tee what they did but you have to find your niche, your voice as a head coach and use those things and experiences you have gotten from those coaches to develop you and your program.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Hanging with my family.  Coaching takes me away from them so when I get a chance we hang out.

Brag on your family!

I wish I had enough words to express the roller coaster that my family and I have been through.  But they are the best.  They allow me to coach this great game knowing what it takes away from me being there.  My wife is ultra supportive and my boys love that I coach.  My oldest graduates this year and I am so proud of him and all my sons.

Get to know Woodland Bartow HFC Andy Scott

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Warren Co Tn (OL/Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coordinator), GA at Middle Tennessee State University (DL), Troup Co (DL 1 year, DB's 1 year), Coffee (OL), Perry (Defensive Coordinator/LB's for 4 years, Head Coach for 5 years) Walnut Grove (Defensive Coordinator/DB's), Lee County (Defensive Coordinator, LB's), Kennesaw Mountain (Head Football Coach), Hiram (Defensive Coordinator/LB's for 2 years and DB's for 1), LaFayette (Head Football Coach)

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Defensive Minded for sure. 

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

Zero

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

For us we are always trying to Chase Greatness and Dare to Be Great in everything we do.  Trying to learn to dominate life and have that carry over to the field.  We also have an acronym for the word HARD, which means Hustle, Attitude, Respect, and Discipline

What other sports do/have you coached?

I have coached Track at a few different schools.

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Got a ton of them, my high school head coach Ray Barnes and my high school offensive line coach Franklin Fisher are big influences.  My college coach, Boots Donnelly, from Middle Tennessee.  Rob Ridings, Bubba Jeter, and David Thrower from Troup.  Kevin Giddens and Steve Wight from Coffee.  Wade Stewart, Andy Gentry, Brett Hardy from Perry, Harris Rainbow from Walnut Grove, Dean Fabrizio from Lee. Pete Fominya and Stan Halbrooks from Hiram. Tom Lanford, Shane Cauthorn, and Jesse Peppers from LaFayette. All of these coaches have all played a big part of who I am and who I have become as a coach.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

2007 while the Head Coach at Perry beating Peach Co and making it to the Quarter-Finals.  Also just all the relationships I have been able to develop with Players and Coaches for the last 30 years. 

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Biggest thing to me is you have to be you.  You have to coach to your personality and develop your position group, your unit, and your team around what you believe in.  Also I think an important piece of advice is to study the game of Football every single day.  You can never stop improving as a coach.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Lifting Weights and spending time with family.

Brag on your family!

Wife, Claudia and I have been married for 30 years.  Have one son, Justin who is 25 married and has also entered the coaching profession.

Get to know Spencer HFC Joe Kegler

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Carver HS- OL/WR/OC/HFC AD Stewart Co- OC Jordan High School- HFC Spencer HS HFC/AD

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offense

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

1 state title 10 region titles

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

We all we got, and We all we need.

What other sports do/have you coached?

Baseball, track

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Dell Mcgee, Ahmand Tinker

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

The growth of the young students from 9th grade to adulthood.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Be the best you can be where your feet are.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Enjoying life and appreciating the blessings

Brag on your family!

Family is the key to everything I have been.  They gave me a great foundation and have allowed me to continue to grow emotionally and spiritually.

Get to know Cambridge HFC Tyler Jones

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Walton - OC/QB (2 years)

River Ridge - OC/QB (3 years)

Wheeler - Co-OC/QB/WR (5 years)

Newton - WR (1 year)

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

QB play

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

2 region titles

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

We want our guys to believe being Tough, Physical, Disciplined, and play with tremendous Effort.

What other sports do/have you coached?

Only Football now, but I have coached Baseball and Basketball

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Mike Collins (HFC at River Ridge) and Daniel Brunner (HFC at Walton)

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

I have two of them:

1. Completing the regular season undefeated Region Champs at River Ridge in 2020.

2. Beating Buford in the 2nd round in 2022 at their place.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Be where your feet are, and do the absolute best job you can in your current role. Opportunities will find you if you do those things.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Golf, vacation at the beach, and watching my kids learn sports

Brag on your family!

I have two beautiful young children (5 and 2), and my wife is the more impressive member of the family. She is the CFO for a multi-million dollar company, and she still finds a way to support me and my dream of coaching football.

Get to know Brooks County HFC Maurice Freeman

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Northeast HS DB, LB, DC, Brooks HC, Southwest Macon HC, Brunswick HCBrooks HC

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Linebackers

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

7 region titles 2 state titles

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Bring That Hammer

What other sports do/have you coached?

Basketball Track

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Rudy Hubbard, Art Gamble

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

Coaching a State Title win and a loss with my daughter on the sideline as my get back coach.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Outwork your Head Coach

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Fishing

Brag on your family!

My wife is the Obama of Quitman Ga. One of my daughters will be a pharmacist soon

Get to know Model HFC Jeff Hunnicutt

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Cedartown (4), Hiram (1), Coosa (4), Pepperell (7), Cartersville (1), HC - Model (5)

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Defense and Special Teams

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

4 Region Titles, State Runner Up at Cartersville

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

faMily!

What other sports do/have you coached?

Baseball, Track, Wrestling

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

My father (over 40 years on the sidelines)

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

The lifelong bonds you build in this profession not only as a coach, but also as a teacher!

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Don't chase athletes, chase administration! I was told thanks, but no thanks over 10x as I pursued becoming a head coach...

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Fishing and spending time with my family

Brag on your family!

Be Humble and embrace Humility... Big TEAM, little me!

Get to know Greene County HFC Terrance Banks

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Dunwoody HS 1 yr (OLB), Lakeside-Dekalb 3 yrs (OC,DC,QB,DB), Berkmar HS 2 Yrs (WR,DB), Duluth HS 2 yrs (WR,PGC), Newton HS 6 yr (HC), Tri-Cities 1 yr (HC), Meadowcreek 2 yrs (OC, QB, HC), Greene County HS 2 yr (HC)

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Durrty Boyz, Wideouts... The WR Room.

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

2015 Region Title at Newton, Been Region Runner-Up 2 Many times (Insert Crying Emoji)

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

#PayTheFEE  - Finish, Energy, Effort. Teams with great Energy, give great effort will FINISH every rep!

What other sports do/have you coached?

Track and Lacrosse

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

A ton, but my learned so much working under Lithia Springs HC Corey Jarvis while at Duluth. It was my education manual on how to be a Head Football Coach.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

My 1st Career Win as a Head Coach, when Newton upset Lowndes. Them lights went out FAST that night in South Georgia! The win and the check made the bus ride worth it.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Are you ready to be responsible for problems you didn't create? Are you ready to spend less time on X's and O's? Start by writing down every decision your Head Coach makes and what you would have done whether different or the same. BUT understand THIS CHAIR changes half of the thoughts you have prior to sitting in it.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

I love to watch movies and play XBox. I am a home body so it's football mostly but movies and xBox playing.

Brag on your family!

My wife Lena and I have been married for 16 years. She is a Mathematics Teacher at Duluth HS in Gwinnett. We have 2 boys Terrance Jr and Liam. TJ is gonna make me rich on Fortnite! Liam is my athlete. We enjoy dead weeks because of vacations! Coaches TAKE vacations. I had to learn this the hard way.

Get to know Coffee HFC Mike Coe

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Auburndale HS-1994-2002 (OL Coach/Special Teams) Madison County HS (FL)-2003-2021 OL, Strength Coach, OC. 2010-2021 Head Coach. Coffee HS 2022-Current Head Coach

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Reaching young men and getting them to play for each other as hard as possible. X and O on offense. So many coaches miss the boat thinking it is all about scheme and X's and O's. I believe it is about reaching kids and getting them to buy in. Off season work, practice schedules, time managament, game management, etc...

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

Region 1 title. State titles-7

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

C.ommitment

R.espect

A.ttitude

W.illingness

L.ove

What other sports do/have you coached?

Track, Weightlifting

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Joe Parrish-my high school coach. Kenny Harrison-my Uncle who coached for almost 30 years. Ken Hood-my jv coach and first man I coached for. They all believed in me, as a player and a coach and that gave me great confidence. They also were tough on me and that helped me tremendously.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

Winning a state title with both of my sons...1 in Florida and 1 in Georgia. They both sacrifice a lot being a coaches kid and to see them both have that moment and me be able to share it with them has been a dream come true.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Make sure all the pieces are there..dont just take a job to say you are a head coach. Administration, school board, community, resources, being able to hire a good staff. It all is important. I would rather be an assistant at a good place than a head coach at an average one. Also, dont neglect family, take care of those who will be on the front row at your funeral.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Spending time with my wife and kids, traveling, and fishing.

Brag on your family!

My wife is such a rock of our family. She is behind me 100% and has always been willing to see our family as missionaries. She is an elementary teacher and loves those kids in her class. She always builds me up. My kids are awesome. Zac, my oldest coaches 9th grade for us and loves it and loves our kids. Bray plays for us, has all A's and caught a TD in the state game. Alexa our oldest daughter is 12 and is sharp as a tack and loves dance and chorus. She makes all A's too. Madison is 5 and runs the show. She loves our Boston terrier, Bowden and she dances as well. Family is everything to me and I am fortunate to have a great one.

Get to know Brunswick HFC Garrett Grady

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Valdosta State University-OL GA

Valdosta State University-Running Backs

Pierce County-Running Backs

Pierce County-Offensive Coordinator/OL

Brunswick High- Offensive Coordinator/OL

Brunswick High-Assistant HC/OC/OL

Brunswick High-Head Football Coach

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offensive Line

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

3 Region Championships

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

All About The Family

What other sports do/have you coached?

Football

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Tom Hybl, David Dean, & Sean Pender

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

Building life-long relationships with our players

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Be a great assistant coach. Do the little things that no one wants to do. No job is ever too big or small to complete. Do not focus on the next job, do the best job where you are at!

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

I enjoy the camaraderie of our coaching staff. Getting together and playing golf with our staff. 

Brag on your family!

I can’t say enough about the love & support from my wife. She is the true definition of a Coach’s wife. She has always supported me in every move & decision and has been there every step of the way. She is very understanding and has helped with every event that our team is involved with.

The Interview with Stephenson HFC Marcus Jelks

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

OC at Lithonia High School; HFC at Lithonia HS; HFC at Stephenson HS

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offensive Line; Offense

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

2 Region Championships

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Fast and Physical

What other sports do/have you coached?

Track, Golf

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

Ron Gartrell, Buck Godfrey

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

Friday Night Lights and Signing Day

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

Patience is key; Understand you are responsible for everything!

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Playing Golf; Boating

Brag on your family!

Married for 16 years this year to the HPE Director for APS. She has also been an AD at multiple places. She fully embraces the grind!! My daughter Mia just turned 4 yesterday and she is the prettiest and brightest 4 year old I’ve ever encountered.

The Interview with Creekview HFC Trevor Williams

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Forsyth Central -STC then QB/OC. South Forsyth, RBs then DB, then DC.  Creekview HC.

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

I think defensive secondary play would be the strongest. But having coached in all three phases as a coordinator, I think it’s important to have a strong grasp of all positions.

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

2 region championships (2015 and 2017) at South Forsyth.

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Effort, Attitude, Toughness. These three things can benefit football and life.

What other sports do/have you coached?

Baseball, Track, Lacrosse.

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

I’ve had a bunch. Chris Bennett at Forsyth central for giving me a chance and allowing me to grow and make mistakes. Jeff Arnette at South Forsyth for mentoring me and teaching me how to treat people and see the bigger picture are probably the biggest two.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

The 2015 run to the quarterfinals at South was amazing. Beating Tucker and Norcross and going toe to toe with Colquitt County at home was something I will never forget.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

You have to prepare every day for getting that opportunity. You have to be borderline obsessive with being elite at your current job and finding ways to improve and be ready for your opportunity. Bug your head coach to help in anything and everything you can in every aspect of the program. Have a plan for every aspect of ‘your program’ for when that time comes.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Fishing

Brag on your family!

My wife, Amy is as good as it gets! We’ve been together for 21 years! Married for 14. She gets what it means to be a coaching family. She amazes me with how she does it all. She’s an incredible teacher (1st grade) and the best mother to our two boys. My sons, Austin and Grayson (13 and 11), who are incredible. They keeps us busy with sports and activities. I am overly blessed to say the least!

The Interview with Armuchee HFC Eric Belew

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

Lewis County HS (TN) 2017 - WR, STC, S&C … Landmark Christian 2018 - QBs, S&C … Cumberland County HS (TN) 2019 - Head Coach … Rockmart HS 2020-2022 WRs, LBs, STC … Armuchee HS 2023-Present Head Coach

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

I played receiver and a lot of special teams in college and that’s also what I have the most experience coaching.

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

4 Region Titles

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

We push our players to embrace selflessness. I pray our players learn what it’s truly like to do something bigger than yourself. We fight that by telling our players constantly that their emotions can’t dictate the decisions they make. If they can learn to master their decision making, regardless of the circumstance in football or in life, that’s true toughness and selflessness.

What other sports do/have you coached?

I have coached track, weightlifting, baseball, and lacrosse.

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

My father was a coach for over 20 years and is why I decided to become one. I owe a lot of credit to my previous head coaches I have worked under, with the most recent being Biff Parson at Rockmart. He did so much for me and gave me so many opportunities to grow. Also TN HOFer Bobby Sharp for giving me a chance at a place like Lewis County as my first teaching and coaching job.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

It is hard to pin down just one favorite moment because there are so many. This past season, we had a big win at home with a great crowd. The band was going to do a performance after the game and the entire team went into the stands to support the band and cheer them on. It was a great moment for the Armuchee community because it shows how invested everyone is in each other.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

It’s so important to learn from your experiences… even if you don’t agree or like what is going on. The best thing you can do is listen and observe. You may not agree with what your current head coach is doing but be respectful and learn from them. Maybe you’ll learn that you don’t want to do things the way they did. But if you take the time discuss and learn you may find out that there is a method to the madness. There are many complaints I would love to take back from sitting in the big chair. I am much more appreciate and understand of decisions that have been made in the past that I didn’t understand. But the most important thing is what we all learned I elementary school. God have you 2 ears and one mouth. You need to listen twice as much as you speak.

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

I love to spend time with my wife and daughter. I am so blessed to be the man outnumbered. When I can, I love to play some golf. Nothing like blue skies and shooting 30 over par and lying about how you played the next day.

Brag on your family!

My wife Hannah, is the joy of my life. My favorite part about her is her accountability. Just because I’m a coach does not change my role in our house. I still have to be the best husband and dad I can be. She balances that with grace and love that words can’t comprehend. I also have an amazing little girl named Hattie who was born in August of 2022. We named her after my favorite hot chicken restaurant, Hattie B’s. She has lived up to that reputation 10 fold. There is never a dull moment in the Belew household and I couldn’t be more thankful for those two. 

The Interview with South Paulding HFC Maurice Allen

What schools have you coached at & what was your position at each stop?

University of Mary Hardin Baylor - Student Assistant Recruiting

Elgin High School TX - Outside Linebackers 

Ware County High School GA - Wide Receivers 

West Orange High School FL - Strength and Conditioning 

Freedom High School FL - Asst AD, OC, AHC

Pebblebrook High School Ga - OC / AHC

South Paulding High School Ga - HC

What area of your sport do you consider to be your specialty?

Offense - quarterbacks,

How many region & state titles have you been a part of as a coach?

1 Region Championship!

Chasing it yearly!

What mantra do you want your team to exemplify?

Don’t wish for it work for it

Belief - Ownership - Attitude & Toughness!

Get on the BOAT. 

Believe in your teammates and coaches and there ability on and off the field 

Ownership - pursue what is right no matter the circumstances 

Attitude - be the thermometer not the thermostat! Control your temp.

Toughness - be comfortable being uncomfortable! Improvise, adapt and overcome.

What other sports do/have you coached?

Football, Baseball, Weightlifting, Track

Who have been your biggest influences as a coach?

My biggest influences have been my mentors Kendrick Crumedy who is the HC at Jasper HS in Jasper Texas and then coaches have had the opportunity to work alongside like Frank Stephens.

What has been your favorite moment as a coach?

My all time favorite moments as a coach has been connecting with kids and building authentic relationships that they understand it’s bigger than football.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to those who hope to be a head coach someday?

My biggest piece of advice is to be where your feet are and be the absolute best assistant coach you can be!

I have been able to climb the ladder because the head coaches I’ve worked for have given me opportunities to grow and take on additional responsibilities & when given the opportunity I take it and run!

Start preparing now!

Networking is pivotal and always be looking to learn!

What is your favorite activity outside of coaching?

Traveling and spending time with family! I also spend some time doing graphics.

Brag on your family!

My rock! Without my wife I wouldn’t be half the coach and man I am. We have been married 10 years, she was with me while I was active duty army and has always pushed me to chase my dreams! She’s the glue that keeps our house together I have a son Jaiden 6, Daughter Raelynn 4 & Daughter Olivia 2 Months

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