Smith leaving Zion Christian for Giles Co.
After just one season at Zion Christian Academy, Walt Smith is departing to become the new football coach at Giles County High School.
Smith was formally introduced as the Bobcats’ coach Monday afternoon replacing David O’Connor, who resigned last month to become the coach at Buckhorn (Ala.) High School.
“Zion was a great place to be and I hated to leave,” Smith said. “I can’t say enough good stuff about Zion, but I believe God wanted me to be at Giles County. That’s the reason I made the decision.”
O’Connor had a spectacular seven-year run in Pulaski leading Giles County to a record of 75-17, highlighted by winning the 2009 Class 4A state championship. The Bobcats reached the semifinals in the each of the past two seasons.
Smith doesn’t mind the challenge of living up to the program’s lofty expectations.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Smith said. “If you’re not trying to be at the highest level everywhere you go, then you’re not in it for the right reasons. They’re not going to put any more pressure on me than I’m going to put on myself.”
Part of Smith’s confidence comes from the fact that he has enjoyed tremendous success during his decade as a head coach. In his nine-year tenure at Mt. Pleasant, Smith was the most successful coach in school history.
The Tigers, who were 0-10 in the season prior to Smith’s arrival in 2003, went to the postseason eight straight years before just missing out on the postseason in 2011. During Smith’s tenure, the Tigers posted a record of 76-32, including a pair of Class A state semifinal appearances as well as four region championships.
In his only season at the helm of the Eagles, Smith led Zion Christian to a 5-6 record, including a berth in the Division II-A playoffs.
“Walt is a very good coach and we have been very happy to have him as part of the Zion family and we wish him the best,” said Zion Christian athletic director Paul Brenner. “Coach Smith did a good job of building on the momentum that has been growing in our program for the past several years.”
Brenner said the search has already begun to find a replacement for Smith and the school is optimistic about the future of the football program.
“We are looking forward to continuing our momentum in football under the direction of a new coach,” said Zion Christian headmaster Don Wahlman. “With our new stadium complex and commitment to having a quality football program, we are sure that we will be able to fill the position with another quality coach very quickly.”
Brenner said that he, along with the remaining assistant coaches, will conduct the Eagles’ spring practice beginning next week.
