Players, coaches react to Winegarden’s sudden resignation

By Larry Fleming

Shortly after submitting his resignation and informing his assistant coaches of his decision, Dalton football coach Adam Winegarden met with players who will return for the Catamounts’ 2010 season.

Junior offensive tackle Watts Dantzler, who is projected to be one of the state’s top college prospects next season, was at the somber meeting when Winegarden disclosed that he was stepping down.

“It was definitely sad in there,” said the 6-foot-8-inch, 300-pound Dantzler. “He did most of the talking. He talked about how we’re in a good position to have success next year. I know he was put in a bad situation, and I’m still not 100 percent sure what happened, but he was still talking about what was best for the team. He handled the whole meeting with class.”

Dantzler said Winegarden met with the players prior to morning weight training and that the meeting lasted about 15 minutes.

Later in the day, Watts bumped into Winegarden before school was let out early due to weather concerns.

“He wished me luck and told me I had a bright future,” said Dantzler, an all-stater and a Daily Citizen’s All-Area Football Team selection this past season who helped the Cats to a 7-4 record and a berth in the Class 4A state playoffs. “He said he would definitely be at my signing next year. I told him I definitely wanted him there.”

Dantzler said he will remember Winegarden as a coach who always thought of his players first.

“He was always looking out for us,” the big tackle said, “and making sure we were doing OK. He would text on us on the weekend to make sure we were doing the right things. He gave us his cell number and said to call if we ever needed him. He helped us on and off the field.”

Later during a meeting with The Daily Citizen, that included athletic director Ronnie McClurg and principal Debbie Freeman, Winegarden issued prepared remarks.

“There are great things ahead for Dalton and the young men currently in the program,” he said in the typed, three-paragraph statement. “The players are working hard, have great character, and are striving to be their best in the classroom. I look forward to keeping up with their future success on and off the field.”

Winegarden was Dalton’s offensive coordinator for five years before replacing McClurg, who retired after the 2007 season. As a two-year starter, quarterback Stryker Brown probably worked closer with Winegarden than any other player on the roster.

“I think I probably knew him better than anyone,” said Brown, the all-area quarterback who has signed a baseball scholarship with Georgia Southern. “He helped me become a better Christian and taught me a lot about the Xs and Os of football. He is really a student of the game.

“We watched a lot of film together and he developed strategy for the different teams we played. He’s a great coach and I’m sure wherever he goes he’ll do a great job and I wish the best for him and his family.”

Senior linebacker Mitch Townsend didn’t spend as much time with Winegarden as did offensive players, but still felt the off-the-field impact he made on the entire team.

“He taught me a whole lot about good moral values,” Townsend said. “I heard about him resigning after first period and saw him a couple of times during school, but didn’t get a chance to talk to him. When I can talk to him, I’ll tell him I wish his family the best.”

Center Nathan Edwards said Winegarden pushed the Cats to be better players and represent the school in a positive manner.

“It was good to play for somebody who wanted you to reach your full potential,” Edwards said.

“He wanted the best for the entire team. It was a great experience playing for him. He was all about the players.”

Senior wide receiver Tevin Collins wrapped up his assessment of Winegarden in four words.

“Great coach. Great man,” Collins said.

Collins added, “Even if coach Winegarden’s not there next year, Dalton will be good. But the guys are going to miss him.”

Area coaches who knew Winegarden also offered their reactions to his resignation.

Northwest Whitfield is Dalton’s fiercest area rival and Bruins coach Mike Falleur has been part of it since 2002.

“We’re big rivals one week out of the year,” Falleur said. “It’s a big game that we think is important to win and they feel the same way, I think. The rest of the time I consider Adam and coach McClurg friends.

“I’ve always thought that Adam is honest, a straight shooter and a good person. Obviously, I think he’s a good coach.”

Bill Napier matched wits with Winegarden while coaching at Murray County High.

“Coach Winegarden is an exceptionally sharp fellow,” said Napier, now the offensive coordinator at Adairsville. “It was a no-brainer when coach McClurg chose him to take over when he retired. He was a very good assistant when he came to Dalton, and at a very young age became their offensive coordinator. He always did a good job of getting the ball to his most outstanding players, which is what an offensive coordinator should do. “I don’t know where he’s going to coach next, but he needs to coach somewhere.”

Napier said he got to know Winegarden better away from the field at numerous Fellowship of Christian Athletes events.

“He has a very good reputation in that regard, as do many of the Dalton coaches,” Napier said. “Those are the kinds of men we need impacting our young people.”

Josh Lowe, former Murray County coach and current athletic director at North Murray, said he considers Winegarden a “personal friend.”

“Adam is an outstanding man, a good Christian man,” said Lowe, the Indians’ coach and assistant athletic director from 2007-08. “I think he was doing a great job for Dalton and setting a good example for their student-athletes. Without question he’s one of the best people I know in this profession. I don’t know what’s in store for him next, but I’m sure he’ll be extremely successful.”

First-year Murray County head coach John Zeigler, who was a longtime assistant for the Indians, said he was saddened to learn Winegarden had resigned.

“I believe this will be a great loss for Dalton’s football program,” Zeigler said.