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Newnan High School defensive coordinator,
Mike McDonald was named the new head coach of the Newnan Cougars
football team on Friday. McDonald – who has served as the Cougar’s defensive head since 2007 – replaces retiring Cougar’s head coach, Robert Herring. Newnan High Principal Dr. Doug Moore introduced McDonald as the new head coach at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, shortly after McDonald’s promotion was approved by the Coweta County Board of Education. McDonald was chosen for the Cougars head coaching position from among a strong field of applicants. Superintendent Blake Bass – speaking at the school board’s meeting at noon on Tuesday - said that the search for a new head coach drew over forty applicants. McDonald “is well experienced,” said Bass. “Dr. Moore knows him and knows his strengths. He (McDonald) knows the staff. He knows the team. He has a lot of respect in the community.” “There is tremendous respect for Coach McDonald from the community, from the staff, and from the kids,” said Dr. Doug Moore. “I feel like right now he’s the best fit for Newnan High School.” Moore and Newnan High School Athletic Director Steve Allen met with McDonald Friday afternoon to congratulate him after the School Board’s approval. Mike McDonald has nearly 15 years experience as a coach and teacher, including previous experience in a head coaching position. McDonald graduated with his Bachelors degree in education from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1994. He began his career at Forest Park High School in 1994, under Panther’s head coach Mike Parris. He left Forest Park in 1995 to follow Parris to Jackson High School, where he coached for one year before moving to Fayette Counties McIntosh High School. Two years later he joined the coaching staff at Morrow High School, where he was named his first defensive coordinators position. After two years at Morrow, McDonald moved to Union Grove High School in Mcdonough, where he served three years as defensive coordinator and then three years as head coach of the Union Grove Wolverines. McDonald joined Newnan High School’s coaching staff as defensive coordinator under Coach Robert Herring in 2007. McDonald and his wife, Kim, have two children, Kyle, 8, and Matthew, 4. NHS Athletic Director Allen said that the news about Coach McDonald spread across the campus Friday afternoon. “Word got out quick, and the players I saw were really excited,” said Allen. “Everybody on the team has the utmost respect for this man.” Allen said McDonald has a great relationship with his coaching staff. “Now everybody is excited to get the season started.”  Newnan High School defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, above, was named head coach of the Cougar’s football team Friday afternoon, replacing retiring head coach Robert Herring.  Newnan High School Principal Dr. Doug Moore and Athletic Director Steve Allen introduced Mike McDonald as the new head coach for the Cougar’s football team on Friday. Above, left to right are Moore, coach McDonald, and Allen. |