Drew Gaddy is the new overseer of Gilmer County wrestling.
Gaddy, 34, was named wrestling director and will be involved with the sport at all levels. He is finishing his 12th year in education and fourth in Gilmer. Along with wife Haley, they have two children.
Off the mat, Gaddy is the administrator of the online credit recovery program at Gilmer High. He has spent time coaching wrestling at Clear Creek Middle School, as well as girls wrestling, football and baseball at GHS. Gaddy previously served as East Jackson’s head wrestling coach for three seasons.
“We had five candidates and felt Drew was the best fit because of his head coaching experience, his experience at the middle school level, as well as his experience coaching girls wrestling this past year,” said county athletic director Paul Standard. “He’s coached every facet of the program, and he’s very organized and detail oriented.
“This position was created two years ago when we started a separate girls wrestling program. We felt the need to have a director of wrestling to bring both programs together. He’ll take on the responsibilities of operations, which will take some duties off the two (GHS) head coaches (Caleb Waddell and Stacy Galloway).”
Gaddy reiterated Standard’s sentiment and hopes to do as much as possible to let coaches concentrate on doing just that.
“One of the big things is keeping everything in line from middle school to high school,” Gaddy said. “And also at the high school level, keeping everything in line with the boys and girls as far as scheduling, transportation, ordering and officials. I want to take as much off the coaches as possible and let them worry about what’s going on on the mat. I want to do anything I can to help and support them to solely focus on getting better.”
Gaddy mentioned specific plans for the boys and girls at GHS.
“We want to be one program as much as possible,” he said. “Not so much split programs, but we want to do as much as we can together. That helps sort of streamline everything and builds that support ... boys are supporting girls, and girls are supporting boys. We’re all working toward one common goal, and that is everyone is successful in the program”
Gaddy has talked to all three wrestling head coaches and will meet with boosters this week. GHS and CCMS wrestlers will remain busy in the weight room as the school year winds down, and they start summer wrestling next month.
“I’m excited about the boys and girls programs at the high school and at the middle school,” Gaddy said. “All three programs within our program have a great future ahead of them. The youth program is on the rise as well.”