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Buford hires Appling as head football coach

Byrant Appling was hired Tuesday as Buford's head football coach.
Byrant Appling was hired Tuesday as Buford's head football coach.
By Todd Holcomb
Jan 7, 2019

Buford promoted defensive coordinator Bryant Appling to head football coach Tuesday.

Appling has been on Buford’s staff the past 15 years through seven state titles and five runner-up finishes. He was an assistant for two seasons at Lithonia before coming to Buford.

Appling succeeds John Ford, who was 21-5 in two seasons at the Class AAAAA school. Buford’s streak of 11 semifinal finishes, a state record, was broken this past season when the Wolves lost to Bainbridge 23-20 in the quarterfinals. The upset loss also ended Buford’s state-record 35-game winning streak in home playoff games. Ford stepped down on five days later.

Buford previously had been coached by Jess Simpson, whose 13-year record of 162-22. Simpson was on the University of Miami’s staff last season.

Appling played at Lithonia High and then at Lehigh, where he was two-time All-Patriot League middle linebacker.

Bryant Appling has been on Buford's staff for 15 seasons, most recently as defensive coordinator.
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