Newnan High School has a new head football coach. It’s Sandy Creek High School Coach Chip Walker.
The Coweta County Board of Education on Feb. 3 appointed Walker, who is currently the head coach at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone.
Walker follows Mike McDonald, who announced in January that he was stepping down as Cougars head coach, according to Coweta County School System spokesman Dean Jackson.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Chip and his family to the Cougar Nation,” said Newnan High School Principal Dr. Chase Puckett.
NHS Athletic Director Jeff Bryant agreed, saying, “This is a great day for Newnan High School and the start of a new chapter in our football program. Chip has the experience and the commitment to tradition and excellence to lead us forward. It’s great to be a Newnan Cougar.”
Walker comes to Newnan after serving as head football coach at Sandy Creek High School since 2005. During that time he led the Patriots to win three state championships in 2012, 2010 and 2009, as well as second round state playoff appearances in 2016, 2015, and 2009. Walker was recognized in 2013 as the Region 5 AAAA Coach of the Year, 2012 Macon Touchdown Club State Coach of the Year and 2012 Atlanta Touchdown Club AAAA Coach of the Year, said Jackson.
“I am honored to join the Newnan family,” said Walker. “I appreciate Dr. Puckett and Mr. Bryant’s faith in me for this incredible adventure. Newnan is a fantastic school with a history of football excellence and I know the excitement so many have for the Cougar Nation will continue to bring the community together. I can’t wait to get started with the staff and athletes here at Newnan High School.”
During his 12 years at Sandy Creek, Walker compiled a record of 127-26-1, including four second round state playoff appearances, two first round state playoff appearances, two state quarterfinalist appearances, and three state championship victories.
Prior to his stint at Sandy Creek as Head Coach he served as offensive coordinator at Sandy Creek from 1999-2004, quarterback and linebacker Coach at Mary Persons High School from 1996-1998, and wide receivers coach at Wofford College in 1995. Walker has also serves on the Georgia High School Executive Committee and is the GACA State Football Chairman, Jackson said.
Walker completed his undergraduate work in Business Administration at Tusculum College, obtained his Masters Degree in History and his Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.
“When our search committee began the search for a new leader for our Cougar football program, we wanted a coach who shared our commitment to a strong school-community partnership, who had demonstrated success on the field and in the classroom, who showed a true commitment to the overall student-athlete and who could lead Newnan High School to a state championship,” said Puckett. “We found all that and more in Chip and I know that he will be a great addition to the Newnan High School family.”
