Mike Swaney named coach of the week

Marion County head coach Mike Swaney is this week’s Atlanta Falcons High School Coach of the Week for his strong community efforts. Swaney enters his fourth season at Marion County as the reigning Class A State Champions, after a 13-1 season in 2013.

Swaney came to Marion County at the perfect time and began to make a difference immediately. The town needed an identity, and Swaney gave them just that in their weekly “Friday Night Lights.”

With the entire town in support of the football program, Swaney helped pull together a squad of strong-character, high-energy, driven coaches and players that would embody a family.

As a result, many things fell into place for this town that was once looking for hope. They built a new school on the other side of the town, one with new character and reputation.

One of Swaney’s strongest qualities is his motivational spirit, which helps him rise up from adversity. Even when a team makes it to the top, there are people who look down upon them. Each year, football coaches have to re-build after losing players after graduation or move on to play at the college level. Behind those who have graduated are players who have to be trained to take their place. Swaney remembers these are young kids and knows that he is imbedding in them certain qualities and characteristics that will not only be used on the football field, but for whatever their future may bring.

Swaney promotes giving back to the community, which has resonated amongst the players. Last year, the Marion County football team visited the local elementary school where they educated the younger students about getting involved and why they should stay in school.

In addition, many of the players are involved in community service efforts; several of them participate in a summer food programs and mission trips through their church, which feed needy families in the area. The Atlanta Falcons High School Coach of the Week, Swaney is one of a kind and has impacted both his players and the entire community to take action in their own lives in order to make a difference.

Each week of the season, the winner of this award will receive a personalized certificate from the NFL, a commemorative game ball and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department.