Sports
Cartersville Football Head Coach To Resign
Joey King has led the Purple Hurricanes for the past five seasons, which includes high school football championships in 2015 and 2016.
CARTERSVILLE, GA — The man who's led the Cartersville High School Purple Hurricanes to become one of the most respected high school football teams in the state has announced he will leave the program.
Joe King said Thursday he will step down as head coach to pursue a coaching opportunity with a Division I college football team. The details of his new gig have not been made available.
“I am thankful to Dr. (Howard) Hinesley, Dr. (Marc) Feuerbach, Mrs. (Shelley) Tierce and Coach (Darrell) Demastus for allowing me the opportunity to coach here," said King, referring to the current and former superintendents, Cartersville High School's principal and his fellow coach and assistant principal. "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!”
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King's record of 67-4 as head coach is "one indicator of the exemplary program" he developed at Cartersville High School, Cartersville City Schools said. The team claimed consecutive state high school football championships in 2015 and 2016.
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"Coach King made a profound impact on our student athletes, and we are definitely sad to see him transition," said Principal Tierce. "However, we are excited for him to pursue this new opportunity."
According to the school's website, King earned his bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman University in 2015. He has master's and education specialist degrees from Jacksonville State University. He coached at Jacksonville State, Sonoraville High School and Carrollton High School before coming to Cartersville in spring 2014.
The school system said an outline for football program's next steps will be unveiled in the coming days.
Image via Cartersville City School System
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