courtesy : CowetaScore.com
After posting a record of 3-7 in 2016 the Newnan Cougars were in search of a new top cat and only went as far as neighboring Fayette County to find the right fit in Chip Walker. Walker had phenomenal success at Sandy Creek , leading the Patriots to 127 wins and 3 state titles in 12 seasons. The new head coach appreciates the reception that he and his family have received since moving to Coweta and is impressed with the level of support the community shows for the team and the school. ” There is one thing that I have found out “, says Walker.”The people in Newnan love the school. They love football, but most of all they love Newnan High School, and will do everything possible to back the football program and the school in any way that they can.”
The new coach is a big fan of the Newnan town square. The Walker family enjoys the square’s beauty, shopping and dining. It didn’t take the coach long to find some favorite places to eat . “There’s a place called The Cellar , says Walker. It looks like an old Firestone store. There is a place call Meet and Greet and a place called the Oink Joint. We have a little bit of everything.”
High School Coaching is the family business for Chip Walker. His father, Rodney, coached in Georgia for 39 years winning 300 games and a state title at West Rome. The elder Walker coached at Sandy Creek from 1999 to 2005, leaving the head job to Chip. Newnan football fans will get to see the next generation of the Walker bloodline as Bryant Walker will be calling the signals after starting at quarterback the past two seasons at Sandy Creek . ” He has loved the move and the kids here have been great . They are treating him just like one of the guys”, says Walker.
The Cougars have a tradition of great defense and Walker doesn’t see that changing in 2017. Bryant Walker should find some targets to his liking on offense, but if here is a question mark it might be the offensive line. As a group Walker likes their effort to do everything that has been asked of them. When asked about expectations for his first season with the Cougars, Coach Walker’s response was quick . ” Our expectations are to compete for championships from day one. We don’t want to be satisfied to just make the playoffs, we want to win the region championship the first year.” Newnan will kick off the 2017 season against Carrollton at University of West Georgia on August 17.