Cartersville coach King moving to college job
Head Coach Joey King is leaving Cartersville High for a Division I college assistant coaching job after leading the school’s football team to two state championships in five years, the school system announced today.
Cartersville City Schools announced that King will not return to Cartersville High for the 2019 season after leading the Purple Hurricanes to a 67-4 record, two state championships and four state title games in five seasons.
A plan for outlining the next steps for Cartersville High School football will be released within a couple of days, the city school system said in a news release.
Cartersville City Schools Superintendent Marc Feurbach said King told his players in first period today and sent the school staff an email about his decision, WBHF radio reported.
King said in the email, “It has truly been amazing. I tell people all of the time that I am thankful for relationships and opportunities.
“The people here, you and these kids, are what truly makes this place special. I am going to miss coaching these boys more than you can imagine!”
In the email, King reportedly wrote that he was “taking a leap of faith and taking a position as an assistant football coach at a Division 1 program.
“I can assure you that I am leaving on my own accord and that the Hurricane Nation is as strong as ever! It would be EASY for me to stay, but God has provided an opportunity for my family and we are trusting his provision.”
King came to Cartersville from Carrollton High in 2014. Among his star players were quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who led Clemson University this past season to an undefeated record and the NCAA national championship one year after graduating from Cartersville.
Cartersville High Principal Shelley Tierce said, “Coach King made a profound impact on our student athletes and we are definitely sad to see him transition. However, we are excited for him to pursue this new opportunity.”
Feurbach told WBHF that King should announce next week which program he will be joining.
He said the school was not “shocked” at King’s decision, and he was happy for the former coach but also saddened by the news.
King is a native of Cedartown. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman University in Tennessee; and master’s degree and Education Specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.
He began his coaching career at Jacksonville State and went on to coach at Sonoraville and Carrollton high schools.
King succeeded Frank Barden, who had coached the Hurricanes for 18 years and led them to a state title before moving to Stephens County.