Looking to re-establish stability to a football program that has endured much turbulence this season, Adairsville High has turned to former head coach Johnny Gulledge to once again take the reigns.
Gulledge was announced as the team’s new head coach during a press conference held at the school on Monday morning.
He becomes the Tigers’ third head coach this season. Interim coach Brett Tolbert resigned last week, and Mark Arthur had his coaching contract terminated on Sept. 10.
“I think every one in this community knows that Johnny is committed to this school,” said Principal Stan Lewis of Gulledge, who coached at Adairsville, his alma mater, from 1999-2006. “He has always been a huge supporter of Adairsville High School, and I know he just wants things get back on track,” Lewis said.
Gulledge, who has been serving as the director of student support services for the Bartow County school system since last June, said he is excited about returning to his former position with the Tigers (1-2).
He conducted his first practice Monday in preparation for Friday’s home game against Model. “These kids have always been my kids,” said Gulledge, who led the Tigers to back-to-back region titles in 2000 and ’01. “I think there’s a tremendous challenge here, but also a tremendous opportunity.”
The Tigers went 7-3 under Arthur last season, but got off to an 0-2 start this year, including a 77-30 loss to West Forsyth on Sept. 5. Arthur’s contract was terminated the following week.
Tolbert, the school’s athletic director, then served as the team’s interim head coach for one game –– leading the Tigers to a victory over Ringgold on Sept. 12 –– before resigning as coach last week.
Gulledge said Monday that he hopes Tolbert, who has maintained his position as athletic director, will soon rejoin the football coaching staff. Both Gulledge and Lewis commended Tolbert for holding things together as interim coach.
“(Tolbert) did an excellent job taking over when we made the initial change,” said Lewis. “Coach Tolbert took a lot upon himself,” said Gulledge. “We ask him to be the athletic director, the head football coach and (he was) teaching three classes … it was really overwhelming, and he’ll be the first one to tell you that. But he did it because he loves (Adairsville).”
Gulledge said the Adairsville program has reinstated several players who left the team earlier this season. He said he anticipates the Tigers will have about 60 players (including members of the JV and ninth-grade teams) in uniform this Friday against Model.
In previous weeks, less than 30 players had dressed out for varsity games. “Our philosophy is that those kids … deserve an opportunity to redeem themselves,” Gulledge said. “They may have made mistakes and we have made mistakes. We’re going to start fresh.”
Lewis said he believes Gulledge will have a positive impact. “The program needs stability, and Johnny will provide that,” said Lewis, who later added: “The student body, like myself, knows what a man of character and integrity (Gulledge) is. He is for all kids.” “We’re striving for unity,” said Lewis. “Not just with out football team, but with our school and our community.”
Click here to read 2007 story after Gulledge resigned.
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