On Wed., Nov. 11, head varsity football coach Ahren Self announced his resignation the week after the last football game of the season. According to players, Self, who has served as the head coach for three years, has impacted student athletes’ lives at Clarke Central. “Coach Self has always been a fighter and has not only taught me the game of football but has also helped guide me through life,”senior defensive back Rayshawn McCall said. Click here to view more photos from the last football game of the season.
By KEVIN MOBLEY – Print Editor-in-Chief
The Clarke Central High School football program will be led by a new head coach next season following the resignation of head coach Ahren Self.
Head varsity football coach Ahren Self chose to resign on Wed., Nov. 11 after nine years with the Clarke Central football program and three seasons at the helm.
Self confirmed that he met with the team and coaching staff during advisement to reveal the news.
“Coach Self is a not only a great guy but a great coach,” senior defensive back Rayshawn McCall said. “He means a lot to me.”
Self began coaching at CCHS in 2007 as defensive coordinator under former head coach Leroy Ryals.
“(Self) is the best defensive coach in the state in my opinion,” wide receivers coach Aaron Cavin said. “Coach Self and Coach Ryals are similar in that they have a deep knowledge of defensive and offensive scheme, and our players that go on to the next level are well prepared in playing technique and terminology.”
In 2012, when Ryals moved on to become the head coach and athletic director at Thomasville High School, Self was promoted as head coach, notching a 7-4 record and playoff berth in his first season.
“Coach Self treats his players and coaches with respect,” Cavin said. “He is very approachable and keeps his players’ and coaches’ best interest in mind. Often the pressures of being a head coach cause men to be more results-oriented instead of people-oriented. I never felt that Coach Self did that.”
Self finished out his third and final season with a 42-13 loss to Loganville High School on Nov. 6, resulting in a 16-15 overall record as head coach. Self also led the Gladiators to three straight victories against rival Cedar Shoals High School, including a 29-0 shutout this season on Sept. 11.
McCall, who now has Division-I scholarship offers, admitted that Self convinced him to play football upon entering high school.
“Coach Self has always been a fighter and has not only taught me the game of football but has also helped guide me through life,” McCall said.
Athletic director Dr. Jon Ward and the school board will look to replace Self with the program’s sixth head coach since Billy Henderson retired following the 1995 season.
