Panther Head Football Coach Lonnie Oldham will have a new title when he leads his team onto the field Friday night for the first round of playoffs. Oldham was named District 5 Class 2A Football Coach of the Year.
The honor is voted upon by coaches within the district. This is Oldham’s second year coaching at CCHS.
“I was obviously elated,” Oldham said, noting he learned of the honor on Saturday night. “It does feel good to be recognized for the hard work and dedication you put in as a coach.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes offered his congratulations to Coach Oldham. “In a year with very difficult situations, Coach Oldham has demonstrated his commitment to the student-athletes, school and community with his leadership. Being recognized by his peers is a great compliment to him and his staff and team,” Jaynes said.
Oldham noted the key part to him was he got four second place votes and one first place vote, which meant all of his peers believed him worthy of being honored. “That tells me they think I’m a decent coach,” he said.
Oldham said he focuses on one of the habits taught in the “Leader in Me” program popular in elementary schools. Each season we start with “begin with the end in mind”, he said.
“This is just another year of us beginning with the end in mind,” he said, noting that his players are looking forward to winning playoff games and continuing their season. Coach Oldham said he believes his team could make it to the third round of the playoffs and have another home game.
Oldham is a 31-year veteran coach, coming here most recently from Oldham County. Coaching at a small school has been a challenge for him, but he said he enjoys the close knit community. The coach said he believes God brought him to Carroll County. “I’m just following the Leader. He put me out here and I’m supposed to do His work. Football, to me, is a mission field,” Oldham said.
The Panthers take on Leslie County in round one of the KHSAA Class 2A playoffs Friday night at Panther Field.
