Newnan’s Herring expected to retire after season

Newnan is advertising online for a new head football coach, but Robert Herring says he hasn’t decided if he’ll retire.

Herring’s Cougars are playing Camden County in the Class AAAAA semifinals Friday at Newnan.

“I told them [Newnan administrators] that I’d let them know for sure when the season is over,” said Herring, 67, who has won 301 games in his career. “I think they’re just feeling out how many might be interested in the job. Yes, I’ve thought about retiring, but I’ve thought about it for about 20 years. At some time, you’ve got to get out.”

The job opening is posted on the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association website by Newnan athletics director Stephen Allen. It says, “Position is open until filled.”

Allen said he was surprised to hear Herring was undecided.

“That’s funny,”’ Allen said. “Good, I hope he decides to stay. That would be a blessing because he’s a great man. He doesn’t want that to be the focus this week. Right now, he’s concentrating on this game Friday. When we win Friday and go to the [Georgia] Dome and win there, he’ll have more to say.”

The GACA website also shows openings at Adairsville, Lee County, Lakeside-DeKalb and Stockbridge.

Herring has won state titles in Mississippi and Alabama. The semifinals are as close as he has come in Georgia, where he has coached at Newnan since 1999.

Herring said winning a championship this year wouldn’t make up his mind about retiring.

“No, that doesn’t have anything to do it,” Herring said. “I just want to wait until the season is over, sit down with my wife and family and talk about it one more time.”