Grayson Football Coach Mickey Conn Leaving For Clemson

GRAYSON, GA -- Grayson head football coach Mickey Conn announced Thursday he is leaving to take a job with Clemson University.

Rams players were pulled from class and notified of Conn's departure Thursday morning, principal Dana Pugh said in a message posted on Grayson's athletics webpage.

Conn will reportedly serve as a defensive analyst for Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeney, his college teammate and roommate from the University of Alabama.

"Professionally, this is a tremendous opportunity for a man who has devoted his life to coaching and mentoring young men," Pugh said in the post. "Personally, he has shared that it has been a tough decision because of his love of Grayson High School and the program that he has led since the school opened in 2000."

Conn's departure comes after the Rams made a run to the Class AAAAA state semifinals, losing a heartbreaker to Roswell in an epic, back-and-forth game.

He has been Grayson's only head coach since the school started a football program in 2000 and led the Rams to a state championship in 2011.

He leaves Grayson with a record of 137-48, having won seven region championships.

Pugh said in the post that the search for Conn's replacement will begin immediately.

"With our talented and committed student athletes, involved parents, and an outstanding coaching staff I have no doubt that we will have a pool of highly qualified candidates who can help us continue the tradition of excellence that is associated with Grayson football," Pugh said.

(Photo via GraysonAthletics.com)