Mike Swaney has been promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach at Marion County, where Bill Montgomery was let go last week after one season on the job.

Swaney, 47, will be entering his 26th season of coaching, but this will be his first as a head coach. Before coming to Marion County, Swaney was the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Westside in Macon. Westside was 37-14 during his time there, and the 2008 team allowed just 30 points during the regular season.

"This is the first job I applied for head coach," Swaney told Chris Whitaker for this story in the Americus Times-Recorder. "A few people called me, and I've always been one to coach hands on, on the field. I'm still going to do that here. It's a good opportunity."

Marion County will be entering its fifth season of varsity football. The 2009 team finished 7-4 and made the playoffs for the first time.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Jefferson head coach T. McFerrin is carried onto the field by Jordan Tyler (left) and Conner Nations. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)

Credit: Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC