Updated: Carrollton football coach Calhoun resigns; won 51 games in 5 seasons

ajc.com

Carrollton football coach Sean Calhoun, whose teams were 51-12 in five seasons with region titles in 2019 and 2020, announced to his staff and players Tuesday morning that he was stepping down.

’'Just trusting God’s plan,’' Calhoun said of his reasons. “Sometimes we don’t fully understand or know that plan, but God will close doors and open doors, and that’s what walking in faith means.’'

Several media in Georgia and Alabama have linked Calhoun to an opening at Vestavia Hills outside of Birmingham. Calhoun declined comment on those.

Carrollton lost in the quarterfinals each of those five seasons. Carrollton’s 2020 team might’ve become the fifth straight to win 10 games or more but was limited to eight regular-season contests because of COVID-19 cancellations.

The team was ranked No. 4 in preseason despite moving up in class to 6A, but two of its star players transferred. Quarterback M.J. Morris wound up at Pace Academy, and linebacker Chief Borders finished his season at Heard County after the GHSA denied him eligibility. Carrollton lost to Valdosta 36-15 in the Class 6A elite eight.

Calhoun had been Colquitt County’s offensive coordinator during the Packers’ state championship seasons of 2014 and 2015.

’'I greatly appreciated Carrollton for giving me the opportunity,’' Calhoun said. “They hired a guy with no head-coaching experience. So I’ll be forever grateful. I felt like over the past five years our staff and I have made Carrollton a better place. I always did my best for my players and coaches and will hang my head high.’'