Northside coaching opening

With Northside football coach Nathan Laney deciding to resign as head coach, Muscogee County has its first opening of the 2008 year.

Just a few years ago, the Patriots were one of the best teams in Muscogee County. Northside went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the Class AAA playoffs.

Northside has struggled the last few seasons going 3-7 in 2006 and 0-10 in 2007. So whoever the new coach will be has some rebuilding to do.

When I spoke with Northside Principal James Wilson on Wednesday, he said there have been some internal and external candidates.

He wouldn't indicate any candidates, but Wilson did address a few successful former Muscogee County coaches.

When asked if Dwight Jones, who coached Northside in 2005 to its only playoff appearance, had expressed any interest, Wilson said, "I had spoken to Coach Jones."

When asked if former Shaw coach and Dougherty coach Charles Flowers had shown a desire to return to the county that he had so much success in, Wilson said, "No. None."

Wilson then added, "I would hire either one of those if they were available. Those are the type of coaches that we are looking for. They are great teachers, great coaches and great people. But I haven't spoken with either one of them."

With Northside wanting to move quickly, I have a strange feeling that it will hire an experienced, big name coach.