For a lot of his coaching career, Kenny Dallas has been in building mode. Fresh out of college, he built successful middle school and junior varsity teams in his home state of Tennessee. He took over a 1-10 program at Landmark Christian in 2001 and built it into a consistent state playoff contender, going 88-41 with six region championships and a state finals appearance in 11 seasons. After a two-year stint back in Tennessee, he returned to Georgia as defensive coordinator at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, his fierce rival while at Landmark, and rebuilt a young defense that led the Chargers to the state private school finals after starting the season 0-6.
And now here he is again, 20-plus years into the coaching profession, at another building project. This time, it’s Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg, between Peachtree City and Newnan, in Coweta County. Three years in, Dallas has led the Lions to an appearance in the Georgia Independent Schools Association finals in Year One, to the GHSA private school state playoffs last season and to a 3-0 start so far in Year Three.
“Coaching is what God has called me to do,” Dallas said this week, an off week for his team. “My goal is to challenge boys to achieve Godly manhood. I’m a big believer in doing common things in an uncommon way.”
Class A Blog: You spent three seasons at ELCA as defensive coordinator, after returning to Georgia from Tennessee. You said your goal was always to be a head coach again, but it would have to be the right job. What made Trinity "the right job?"
Dallas: "[Trinity athletic director] Chris Hanson called ELCA and asked for permission to speak to me, and that impressed me that he would do that in a professional, old school kind of way. There were some schools out there that I thought if the job came open I would be interested. Trinity was not on my radar screen. But when I came out here to visit, it just felt like home. It's like a blue-collar private school with a good mix of kids from all backgrounds and races. It reminds me a lot of Landmark. They told me they want to build a championship program that honors God. That's what I want as well."
Class A Blog: What makes you think you can build a championship program at Trinity?
Dallas: "People don't realize that this is the largest private school in south Atlanta. We have kids from Coweta County, of course, but also from Fulton and Fayette and Henry County. And everyone is committed. We just opened a new $10 million high school facility. We have a new football field, track and press box. And our training room and weight room are as good as anyone's."
Class A Blog: How much did the fact that the school was in the process of transitioning from the GISA to the GHSA when you took over, influence your decision?
Dallas: "I would not have come it that was not the case. Nothing against the GISA, but after your teams like Valwood and John Milledge, which I think could compete in the GHSA, there is a big drop off. The GHSA is just so much more competitive. And there's no doubt that the GHSA is more attractive for [college] recruiters, because it is a higher level of competition. We've had a decent number of kids come over because we've moved to the GHSA."
Class A Blog: You had a veteran team last year with 16 seniors that advanced to the second round of the playoffs. This year your team is very young.
Dallas: "We had 16 seniors last year, eight of them are now playing college football, from Division I-FCS, to D-III, to NAIA to prep school. Those kids gave us everything they had and set a great standard. This year, in 22 years as a coach, this is the youngest team I have ever had. We play nine freshmen and 10 sophomores. Out of 44 kids in our program, only 10 are juniors or seniors. It's like a freshman or a JV team, more than a varsity squad. But I think this is the first team we've had that really feels like this group is playing our system. Most of them played together as eighth graders here, and they went undefeated."
Class A Blog: What kind of leadership have your seniors provided thus far?
Dallas: "I knew this group was special when they came up with our motto for this season: Bleed. They say it means that we know things are going to be a little rough with such a young team, but we're all going to bleed together. Sharmari Reed (6-1, 180, ATH), I guess is our big name guy. He does a lot for us. He's hurt now but we hope to get him back soon. Tanner Diget (6-6, 265, OL) is a kid with a great story who has come a long way. He was in a bad car accident last year where he hit a fence post. He could have died. It was amazing that he lived. He was a kid who really didn't care about academics, but God got a hold of him and now he's a better player and student than he was before the accident. Jesse Cox (6-0, 240, OL) is a four-year starter for us. Brett Dowler (5-10, 175, WR/DB) is a good player for us on both sides of the ball. Ed Berry (5-11, 200, RB/LB) is a guy who I'm so happy for. He had ACL surgery on both knees, but he's back healthy and doing a great job. And Tony Lucas (5-10, 175, LB) is just tough as nails. He's going to join the Maries out of high school. Just a tough, physical kid."
Class A Blog: Two of the youngsters on your team are your twin sons, David, your quarterback, and Joshua, who plays receiver and defensive back. What is it like coach them?
Dallas: "Those two grew up throwing the ball to each other from the time they were tiny little kids, so it's great seeing them to it now. They are both sophomores, and so David's first touchdown throw as a varsity quarterback was to Joshua, and it was his first touchdown catch as a varsity player. It was a great one-handed catch, too. Really sweet!"
Class A Blog: Even though your team is young, you're still 3-0 to start the season. How have you done that?
Dallas: "I'll tell you what. As a coach and as a coaching staff, sometimes you have teams that you have to pull and drag in the right direction. With this group, they are pushing with us. Every day they are working to get better. Since we started back in the fall we've had just one bad practice that I can think of. And we talk a lot about 'TNT,' which is doing things that 'Take No Talent,' like don't turn the ball over, don't get dumb penalties, get proper rest and stay hydrated to cut down on injuries. This team has bought into TNT. We've been outgained in all three of our wins. We've taken care of the ball. We haven't had a lot of dumb penalties. I told people, with this team, I wouldn't be surprised if we go 1-9 or 9-1. I know that we're going to get better and better with each practice, and so I'm excited about each week."
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