58 applicants.
One interview.
One new head football coach.
The Gilmer County School System announced last Wednesday that Paul Standard would be the next man to lead the Gilmer High Bobcats.
Standard, 58, has 20 seasons of head coaching experience and arrives in Ellijay from St. Pius X. He led the Golden Lions to a 174-72 record, which included 18 playoff appearances and eight region championships.
Gilmer superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs and GHS principal Carla Foley interviewed Standard Friday, Jan. 8. Their original plan was to interview eight candidates, but that changed after meeting with Standard.
“Once he sent that email expressing interest, his reputation certainly precedes him,” Foley said. “To have someone of his caliber interested in coming to Gilmer, we could not overlook that. Dr. Downs and I met with him and had a substantial interview. It gave us an opportunity to talk to him about what we were looking for, and it was an opportunity for him to talk about what he had to offer and what he was looking for in his next career move.
“During this process, we realized this was a great opportunity for us to have someone of coach Standard’s caliber come to Gilmer. We didn’t want to waste the other candidates’ time doing interviews.”
Standard has been an educator and coach for 36 years. Before arriving at St. Pius, he made stops at public schools Loganville, Meadowcreek and Dacula.
Standard discussed his reasons for leaving St. Pius where he surpassed his mentor George B. Maloof to become the Golden Lions’ all-time wins leader. Standard and his three siblings attended St. Pius, as did Standard’s three children.
“I feel blessed to have been part of the St. Pius community for so many years,” Standard said. “I have 16 years in the public school system. It was my dream job to go back to my alma mater and get things right. I felt like we did that.
“I’m a little more mature now, and you start thinking about retirement at some point in the future. I need to add to my years in the public school retirement system. What’s why I was looking to leave St. Pius. I’m leaving a great place there and a great staff, but at some point you have to look out for you and your family and what lies ahead.”
GHS was one of over 20 head coaching positions open in the state. Standard explored some options ahead expressing interest.
“I did look at some of the other jobs before the Gilmer position came open (Dec. 9),” Standard said. “This part of the state is beautiful. I know there is a tremendous community support for the school in all areas. I got to know Wesley Tankersley pretty well when he was the head coach here because he brought his staff down a couple different times to meet with us at St. Pius to learn about what we were doing offensively.
“Ive known about Gilmer from afar, and when the position came open, my wife and I came up and visited and thought this would be a great place to move to and live. They’re looking for a head football coach and I was very interested.”
Standard added, “I can tell there’s a huge desire to get the program back on its feet. I believe the previous coach (Kevin) Saunders started that process and we’re ready to move forward with our young men and get things back to where the community wants it.”
Standard was in town last Friday to interview current assistant coaches. He will return later in the week to meet with Bobcat players.
The final stage of the hiring process is board of education approval, which is expected to take place later this month.