Lumpkin County football looking for new coach after Jones accepts Dacula job

DAHLONEGA -- Lumpkin County High School is looking for a new football coach for the first time in seven years.

The Indians learned this week that Tommy Jones will be leaving Lumpkin County to take over the head coaching job at Dacula High School in Gwinnett County.

"It's really bittersweet," said Jones, who took over the Indians in 2006. "Lumpkin County has been near and dear to my heart for the last seven years. My wife and I have become entrenched in the community, and I watched my daughters grow up there."

Jones led Lumpkin County to a 27-43 record in his time in Dahlonega, and helped the Indians to compete consistently -- he was 25-25 in five seasons (2007-2011), just missing out on the state playoffs in several of those campaigns. Lumpkin County went 2-8 in 2012 after replacing a number of starters from the 6-4 team of 2011.

Jones was confirmed as Dacula's new coach at a school board meeting on Thursday night.

"Dacula offers a tremendous opportunity," said Jones of a Falcons team that competes in Region 8-AAAAAA. "When you think about Dacula you think about the tradition, effort, family atmosphere and work ethic that has been involved in that program. And they compete in perhaps the best region in the state."

Lumpkin County athletic director Scott Hallam praised Jones for the work he's done with the Indians and noted that a search for his replacement is already underway.

"He did a great job for us, and we're sorry to see him go, but we understand the opportunity he has and wish him the best," Hallam said.