Mickey Conn, who started Grayson's football program in 2000 and led it to a state championship in 2011, has accepted a position on Clemson University's staff as a quality control coach, according to Tigernet.com. Clemson has not made an official announcement.
Conn and Swinney are former teammates and roomates at Alabama and played on the 1992 national championship team.
Three of Conn’s former Grayson players – running back Wayne Gallman, defensive back Ryan Carter and quarterback Nick Schuessler – play for Clemson. Grayson junior quarterback Chase Brice, a nephew of Conn, is committed to Clemson.
Conn’s record at Grayson is 137-48 with seven region championships. His teams have won 10 or more games eight of the past nine seasons. The Rams were 13-1 last season and reached the Class AAAAAA semifinals, losing to Roswell 30-26.
Successful high school coaches who join college support staffs are increasingly common. Dell McGee, who won a state title at Carver-Columbus, was hired at Auburn and is now running backs coach at Georgia. Olten Downs, who won a state championship at Creekside, is on Georgia's support staff.
Another prominent coach who took a college job this off-season was Valdosta's Rance Gillespie, hired at Georgia Southern as co-offensive coordinator.
Credit: Todd Holcomb
Credit: Todd Holcomb
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