Coach Matt Turner is the head coach of the East Hall Vikings, a high school football team in North Georgia. With 17 years of experience in education, Coach Turner has a background in both football and golf during his high school years. After initially pursuing a career in business, Turner discovered his true calling in coaching and education, leading him to East Hall, where he impacts young athletes both on and off the field. Coach Turner is known for his focus on character development and his commitment to fostering a family-like environment within his team.

In this engaging episode of the North Georgia FCA Coaches Podcast, hosts Clint Fair and Joel Williams sit down with East Hall Vikings' head coach, Matt Turner. Broadcasting from the iconic Longstreet Cafe, the episode dives deep into Turner's journey from business dreams to fulfilling a purposeful calling in high school coaching. Turner shares his passion for impacting young athletes through character development and providing life lessons that extend far beyond the football field. As a first-time podcast guest, Coach Turner offers candid insights into the realities and joys of coaching.

Coach Matt Turner discusses the evolving challenges of high school football coaching, such as maintaining student commitment amidst a myriad of distractions and societal pressures. The conversation addresses vital themes such as time management, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) concerns, and the importance of community support from local businesses like Longstreet Cafe. Turner emphasizes the value of character-building over wins and losses, noting, "The greatest joy is when you see them years later and they come back and say, you're still coach." With a focus on creating a nurturing environment, the East Hall program proves that football is more than just a sport.

• Coach Matt Turner transitioned from a career in business to coaching, viewing it as a calling to impact young lives through education and sports.

• High school coaching today involves balancing athletic commitment with academics, social media influences, and financial constraints.

• Turner's philosophy stresses character development and life lessons over athletic achievements, with weekly character lessons being integral to the program.

• The support from local businesses like Longstreet Cafe is invaluable, as they provide meals and opportunities for fellowship and faith sharing.

• Despite modern challenges, maintaining the purity and communal aspects of high school football is a priority for Turner.

• "The greatest joy is when you see them years later and they come back and say, you're still coach."

• "If you haven't played, you have no bad habits."

• "When you bring money into anything, it usually doesn't go well."

• "I've never had one player that's came through the program for four years and looks back, man, I wish I hadn't done that."

• My Country 993 WCON - The Music That Made Country Great

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Georgia – Learn more about the mission and events of FCA in North Georgia.

• Longstreet Cafe

Tommy Jones is the head football coach at Cherokee Bluff High School, leading the Bears with an emphasis on character development and community involvement. Jones has been coaching for nearly three decades and has followed in the footsteps of his father, a seasoned high school football coach. With a focus on the holistic development of student-athletes, Jones values the significance of teamwork, character, and health, seeking to balance competitive success with meaningful educational experiences for his players.

In the premiere episode of the FCA North Georgia Coaches podcast, hosts Joel Williams and Clint Fair engage in a captivating conversation with Tommy Jones, the esteemed head coach of Cherokee Bluff High School's football team. Set against the backdrop of Longstreet Cafe, this episode explores the intricate life of a high school football coach and delves into the mission of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Tommy Jones discusses the evolution of high school coaching, noting the year-round commitment it requires, emphasizing the need for balance between sports, academics, and rest for student-athletes. He sheds light on the importance of fostering a collaborative environment with other sports coaches and managing the multifaceted responsibilities associated with leading a football program. Jones also shares insights into the pressures of balancing family life with his coaching duties, revealing his deep dedication to both his family and his role as a mentor for young athletes.

Drawing from his extensive experience, Jones articulates concerns and optimism about the future of high school football in the context of increasing media exposure and the potential impact of naming, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Through personal anecdotes, the discussion accentuates the significance of teamwork, ethical practice, and nurturing every player's potential, regardless of their likelihood of pursuing sports at the collegiate level. This episode offers a heartfelt and reflective look at the values and challenges of high school coaching, underscored by faith and community support.

• High school football coaching demands extensive commitment beyond the traditional season, requiring a balance between sports, academics, and player well-being.

• Collaboration among sports coaches is crucial for providing a holistic high school experience, preventing students from having to choose between sports prematurely.

• The importance of integrating family life with coaching duties is highlighted, portraying the necessity of maintaining balance and personal connections.

• Concerns about the increasing focus on recruitment and NIL deals in high school sports underscore the importance of maintaining traditional values and community spirit.

• Tommy Jones emphasizes that student-athlete value lies beyond performance, revolving around character, effort, and interpersonal traits.

1. "These kids only have one opportunity to do this, and you don't want them to have any regrets." – Tommy Jones

2. "The more circles you have in your life that can overlap and become congruent, the more successful you're going to be." – Tommy Jones

3. "What makes high school football special is a group of kids coming together with a common belief." – Tommy Jones

4. "We need to let these guys know that their value is based on so many other things besides how well they perform on any given Friday night." – Tommy Jones

5. "I want to create an atmosphere where the Lord can be glorified through the way that we run our program." – Tommy Jones

• My Country 993 WCON - The Music That Made Country Great

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Georgia – Learn more about the mission and events of FCA in North Georgia.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Georgia Coaches Show is brought to you by Longstreet Cafe & My Country 99.3 WCON

Legendary North Georgia Broadcaster, Joel Williams, is the host of the My Country 99.3 WCON Morning Show and the newly launched FCA North Georgia Coaches Show Podcast. With a strong background in sports broadcasting, Joel brings vast experience and a passion for engaging storytelling. He's well-known across North Georgia for his insightful interviews and a deep commitment to community and sports, especially through the lens of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Through his new podcast venture, he aims to explore the multidimensional lives of coaches beyond the sports arena.

In this debut episode of the FCA North Georgia Coaches Show Podcast, host Joel Williams introduces listeners to the unique approach of the series. Moving away from the typical sports commentary format, Joel focuses on the personal and spiritual sides of coaching, inviting North Georgia's coaches to share their experiences and insights. This podcast is not merely about sports tactics but dives deep into the core of what drives a coach, the challenges they face, and their dedication to the community.

Throughout the episode, Joel talks about the diverse topics the podcast will cover, including the dynamics between coaches and players, maintaining motivation, balancing personal life and a demanding career, and the integral role of spirituality in coaching. The show promises engaging conversations with a variety of coaches from the North Georgia area. Listeners are encouraged to delve into discussions that reveal a coach's heart and opportunities for growth, both personally and within the community. Packed with real-life anecdotes and thought-provoking questions, this podcast is set to be a resourceful platform for anyone interested in the underpinnings of sports coaching.

• The podcast offers a distinct perspective on coaching, steering away from traditional sports strategy discussions to focus on the personal and spiritual aspects of being a coach.

• Key topics include coach-player interactions, motivation, challenges of balancing family life with coaching, and the role of spirituality.

• Listeners will gain insight into the lives of different North Georgia coaches, understanding what drives them in their careers and community involvement.

• Authentic conversations driven by real topics from the local high school sports environment aim to inspire and educate on broader life lessons.

• A reflective look at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' values is integrated, re