Tift County’s Noel Dean announces intent of resigning at season’s end
TIFTON, GEORGIA- After just three seasons, Noel Dean will be calling it quits as the head football coach at Tift County High School.
According to Tift County Schools Athletics, Dean has announced that at the end of the 2023 season, he will be stepping down as the school’s head football coach. Down below is the statement from Dean on his resignation.
Dear Tift County Football Community,
I am writing to announce that I will not be seeking to renew my contract as the Head Football Coach at Tift County High School at the conclusion of the academic year. This decision has not been an easy one, as it comes with a heavy heart and a deep sense of gratitude for the experiences I've had during my tenure here. I have an unwavering love for this football team and a profound sense of duty to the senior class of 2024. I, along with this coaching staff, will exhaust every effort to ensure that these final 5 games will not be their last and will continue our collective pursuit of a region championship and a playoff berth.
Over the past 3 seasons, my family has undergone significant challenges, including my son's illness and the events of the last few weeks. It has become evident to me that it is time for us to embark on a new chapter, one focused on healing and recovery. I hope that this announcement can bring an end to the drama and distractions that have enveloped our program in recent weeks, allowing our coaches and players to regain their singular focus on the task at hand for the remainder of the season.
When I accepted this role, it was with the aspiration of creating a program that prioritized the holistic development of our student-athletes, where their needs were placed at the forefront of our efforts. I took on this position not out of necessity but out of a profound desire to connect with young men, to build authentic relationships, and provide them with an enduring experience that they would carry throughout their lives.
While the decision to step away is undoubtedly difficult, I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together. The establishment of the Four Tridents: Academics, Commitment, Character, and Strength, has positioned the program and its student-athletes for success. Our team's GPA now stands above 86, with a participation rate exceeding 95% in team activities. We've witnessed a dramatic decline in football players' ISS/OSS incidents, remarkable growth in the weight room, and dedicated community service totaling hundreds of hours. I extend my gratitude to our players for their unwavering commitment and work ethic.
The impact in the community has been significant. From bringing the Red, White, and Blue Devil Game to Tifton, to the enriching experiences provided by the Special Hearts Legends Game, and engagement in youth through the Tift County Football LiTeracy Campaign, our program has stayed true to its commitment to being a community-oriented program. We've provided our student athletes with opportunities to demonstrate leadership and nurture a sense of loyalty and duty. Furthermore, the youth levels have reached unprecedented strength, and I want to express my sincere appreciation to Britt Wilson for his unwavering dedication in this regard. His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated by this community.
Tift County Football is on strong footing, and I am profoundly thankful for the coaches who have invested their hearts and souls in this journey. When assembling a staff, I placed a premium on men that would prioritize our players as individuals and dedicate themselves to helping players become not just better athletes, but better people.
As I step away from the role of head coach, I do so with a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that together we have crafted something extraordinary. I will forever treasure the memories, the camaraderie, and the growth we've experienced as a team.
I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the players, parents, fellow coaches, and the entire Tift County community for their unwavering support and dedication.
Sincerely,
Noel Dean
Dean spent 30 years as a coach in Michigan before being hired at Tift County. Up in the Wolverine State, Dean was elected to the Michigan High School Football Association Coaches Hall of Fame while still actively coaching there. In his time in Michigan, Dean won three state championships, finished as state runner-ups three times and made nine semifinals appearances.
In his time at Tift County, the results have been anything but. The last three seasons, Dean has accumulated a record of 8-18. Dean’s best season was his first when the Blue Devils went 6-5. Tift County went 1-9 in 2022 and are currently 1-4, winning their first game last week 17-0 over Gadsden County of Florida.
Community support was waned with the losses piling up as ticket revenue at games have dropped dramatically and a public outcry for Dean’s ouster has been well known throughout the town of Tifton.
Vote: Who has been the top running back in Georgia so far this 2023 football season?
Top 30 Week 6 Georgia high school football games to watch
Top Offensive Player in Georgia Football So Far in 2023: Vote
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
