David Brent Martin
In the world of sports, rumors swirl round and round, and many passionate afficionados start gossiping about the what-ifs and who’s going to go where and when.
The World Wide Web has made all of this even more complicated as coaches (and players) are constantly being discussed and analyzed in blogs and chatrooms — and then, all of a sudden, all heck breaks loose.
Baldwin High athletic director and head football coach Jesse Hicks has done many wonderful things during his tenure at the school, and he confirmed Monday that he should be around next season to perhaps lead the Braves to that elusive state championship.
Long considered a strong candidate for the vacant Crisp County head football coach/athletic director post, Hicks confirmed that the school never got back with him after being discussed as a possible candidate for the job. The school also offered the job to Bobby Johns at Baker County High in Glen St. Mary’s, Fla., but Johns has since turned the offer down.
“They [Crisp County] never called me back, and they never offered me the job,” said Hicks. “Sometimes you just have to step back and take a look at things in your life — but my heart is here. The good Lord spoke.”
The popular coach with the infectious smile then stressed that he had a tight bond with the kids at Baldwin High and was really proud of the coaching staff he already had in place, something that could’ve been tweaked if he had made the move to Crisp County.
“It’s all about the kids. I have great kids here and the Lord has blessed me,” said Hicks via telephone Monday afternoon. “I also have a great support staff and a great group of coaches. This is my family.”
Although he was considered a very strong candidate for the job, Hicks didn’t directly elaborate on the reasons why he chose to stay and not pursue the job even further.
It had even been speculated by pundits throughout the Internet that he was going to consider making the move if the offer was right. Then again, can anybody really believe anything that’s posted in a chatroom nowadays?
Hicks stated that Baldwin High’s athletic department is moving in the right direction and was committed to continuing his quest for a state championship.
“Our athletic program, especially football, has really turned around since I’ve been here,” said Hicks. “And I’m quite proud of that — but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Crisp County superintendent Jay Brinson stated in the Cordele Dispatch that as a result of John’s decision, the school system is currently reassessing the process to determine the next steps in its search for the successor to Tommy Walburn, who resigned in November to become the head football coach only at Northgate High in Coweta County.
Hicks has been at Baldwin High for eight years with a record of 70-24. Johns is 98-46 during 12 years at Baker County.
So, let out a big sigh of relief, Baldwin fans — that wide, infectious smile will be back again.
