Harris Rainbow was fired Tuesday as head football coach at Campbell, calling it a big surprise while defending his three-year record.
Campbell was 4-6 in 2013, the Cobb County school’s best record since 2007. Campbell set a school scoring record with 290 points, or 29.0 per game
‘’I think everyone is shocked, the entire community, the kids and me most of all,’’ Rainbow said. “This is out of the blue. The only thing she gave me was she wanted to go in a different direction. It’s just a very suspicious decision.’’
Campbell’s principal, Dr. Denise Magee, told Rainbow of the decision Tuesday, Rainbow said.
Dr. Magee’s office referred a call requesting comment to Cobb County schools director of communications Jay Dillon, who said that neither the school nor the school district can discuss specific personnel matters.
‘’One thing I can assure you is there was nothing that I did that was unethical or illegal,’’ Rainbow said. “She acted alone and decided she wanted to hire someone else. All she would say is that she wanted to go in a different direction.’’
Rainbow’s career record is 34-74, but he has left three programs with better records than what he inherited. Campbell, Worth County and Riverwood each were 1-9 before hiring Rainbow. Campbell was 1-9, 3-7 and 4-6 in Rainbow’s three seasons.
Rainbow also started Walnut Grove’s program in Walton County in 2009 but left after two seasons for family reasons. He grew up in Cobb County and graduated from Wheeler.
Rainbow said he planned to remain at Campbell next year as a teacher. He said that he was asked to resign but refused.
‘’I wouldn’t let her take the easy way out,’’ Rainbow said. “I told her that I would not abandon our kids, that I want to be at Campbell. I told her this decision is wrong.’’
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