2022 GILMER BOBCAT FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Paul Standard-Head Football Coach | Gilmer County Athletic Director
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Coach Standard and his family are excited to begin year #4 at Gilmer County High School! Coach Standard enters his 24th year as a Head Football Coach and 40th year overall in education and coaching. His record at Gilmer County is 15-17. The 2023 Bobcats returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and won the first playoff game since 2013! Coach Standard spent 20 years at the helm of his alma mater, St. Pius X Catholic High. At St. Pius X Coach Standard compiled a record of 174-72, surpassing his coach and mentor the legendary Coach George B. Maloof, as the winningest coach in St. Pius X history. During his time at St. Pius X Coach Standard’s teams won 8 region championships, went to the playoffs 18 seasons, had 12 top ten rankings, playoff record of 29-18, including two trips to the State Championship Game. A 1984 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina with a B.S. in Business Administration, Coach Standard served in the United States Army Reserve from 1984-1992. Coach Standard will work in strength and conditioning at Gilmer High. Coach Standard’s career started in1985 at Loganville, 1986–90 Meadowcreek and ten years at Dacula (1991-2000 Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Backs). At Dacula, the teams were the Region Champions in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999 (co-champs) and in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999, they were State Quarter Finalists. At St. Pius X Coach Standard was named Region Coach of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020. Dekalb County Coaches Association Coach of the Year 2006 and 2014. He was named Head Coach of the North Team in the GACA All-Star Game 2014. He is married to the former Cindy Renee Harper for 38 years. Cindy has her doctorate in occupational therapy and works for Gilmer County Schools. They have four children: Paul III (P.G.) (LaGrange College ‘13 BA History, The Citadel ’17 MS in secondary education)is the Offensive Coordinator at Gilmer and teaches PE, Elizabeth Standard Reynolds (Georgia Southern University ‘14 BA History) (Georgia State ‘15 MS in secondary education), a Social Studies teacher at Denmark High, Mary Kate, (Georgia Southern University ’16 BS Health Sciences, Augusta State University ’18 MS in Occupational Therapy School and works as an Occupational Therapist at Augusta University Hospital, and Margaret May is junior at Kennesaw State University. Paul and Cindy are proud grandparents of three handsome grandsons: Benjamin Fiske Reynolds, Miller DuFour Reynolds and Paul Reilly Standard!
Jeff Nelson-Defensive Coordinator /Defensive Line / Strength Training Coordinator
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This is Coach Nelson’s 4th year at Gilmer High School. Prior to coming to Gilmer, he was at Pickens High school for seven years, with his most recent position being the head football coach. He also held the previous positions of defensive coordinator and head strength and conditioning coach. He has worked at Creekview High School for eight years where he served as defensive coordinator. His other coaching experience includes five years at Sequoyah High where he coached Defensive Line and Defensive Backs. He is originally from Canton, where he attended Cherokee High School. Coach Nelson is a graduate of Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and has a master’s degree in Health & P.E. from the University of Alabama. Coach Nelson is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. He teaches Weight Training. Coach Nelson is married to Leigh, and they have three daughters Anna (husband Brady), Ashley, & Amanda.
P.G. Standard – Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
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Coach Standard enters his 4th year at Gilmer High where he is the Offensive Coordinator and will be coaching the running backs. Prior to coming to Gilmer, Coach Standard taught and coached four years at his alma mater, St. Pius X Catholic High School, in the same capacity. Coach Standard started his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the Citadel in Charleston, SC for four years. Within that four-year period, Coach Standard also earned a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from The Citadel. He attended LaGrange College for his undergraduate studies where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History. While attending LaGrange, Coach Standard also was a part of the football program as a defensive back. Coach Standard is from Hog Mountain, GA, and he graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, GA where he played football and baseball. He is married to the former Caitlin Christine Shepherd of Dacula, GA. Caitlin is an ESOL teacher at Ellijay Elementary. They have a two-year-old son, Paul Reilly Standard.
Drew Gaddy- Offensive Line
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Drew Gaddy and his family are excited for another season of football at Gilmer High School. Coach Gaddy is entering his 12th year of coaching and teaching and his 4th year at Gilmer High School. He teaches Special Education and will be coaching the Offensive Line and Tight Ends. Previously, Coach Gaddy coached at East Jackson where he coached Offensive Line, Defensive Line and was the Head Wrestling Coach. Coach Gaddy also coached at Blackville-Hilda High School in SC where he coached Offensive Line and was Head Soccer Coach. Coach Gaddy attended the University of West Georgia where he majored in Health and Physical Education and played 4 years of football for the Wolves (2009-2012). Coach Gaddy is married to Haley Gaddy, and they have a son, SJ (3) and a daughter, Brice (1). Go Bobcats!
Ashley DeWitt - Offensive Line Coach
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Coach Ashley DeWitt begins his 33rd year overall, 4th year at Gilmer County High School, as an offensive line coach. Ashley, a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Health and Physical Education, received a master’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Georgia Southwestern, and an education specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Ashley began his coaching career in 1992 at Hawkinsville High School where he spent three years coaching the offensive line. While at Hawkinsville he developed the school’s wrestling program. In 1995 DeWitt moved to Macon County High School where he coached offensive line and was the head wrestling coach. In 1996 he helped coach Macon County to the State Football Championship. In 1998 he moved to Central-Macon High School where he coached the offensive line, helped coordinate the offense and was head wrestling coach. In 2002 DeWitt moved to Carrollton High School where he coached football, state finalist in 2010 and 2013, Track, State Champions 2003,05,10,11,12. In 2015 he started the Girls’ Lacrosse program where he took them to their 1st playoff appearance in 2017. In 2018 Coach DeWitt moved to Cass High School where he coached the offensive line, helped coordinate the offense, and was the head middle school wrestling coach. Coach DeWitt is married to the former Suzanne Goolsby of Suwanee, Georgia and they have two children, Bethany, and Brynn. Bethany and her husband Garret have a son and daughter, Rennick and Adeline. Brynn is married to Samuel.
Jeff Thurman - Receivers
Coach Thurman is entering into his 20th season coaching football, and has 23 years of total coaching experience in both football and baseball. He began his teaching and coaching career at Bay Springs Middle School in Villa Rica, Ga. His last 19 seasons he has found himself on the sidelines coaching the Bobcats on Friday nights. During coach Thurman's career he has coached the defensive backs, running backs, defensive ends, quarterbacks, and he is currently coaching the receivers going into the 2024 season. Coach Thurman is also the head baseball coach for the Bobcats and has been for a total of 16 seasons. Coach Thurman is a 1996 graduate of Gilmer High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball all 4 years. He attended the University of West Georgia and graduated with a B.A. in Social Studies in 2001. Coach Thurman has also received his M.A. in Secondary Education and E.D.S in Teaching and Learning from Piedmont College. Coach Thurman is married to the former Erin Leigh Henson of Ellijay, Ga. Erin has been a school teacher in the Gilmer County School system for 17 years, and is currently teaching at Ellijay Elementary School. They have 5 children, Lucy 21, Lily 18, Payden 10, Payleigh 10, and Scotlin 6.
Patrick Daley - Defensive Line
This will be Coach Daley’s 6th year as a Gilmer Bobcat and will coach the defensive line. Previously, he served as the head coach at Copper Basin High School for 12 years. He has coached in Georgia and Tennessee for 34 years. Coach Daley received a B.A. Degree, the University of Richmond and a Master’s degree, the University of Tennessee and teaches English. Coach Daley is from Copperhill, TN., and has three children: Gavin, Aria, and Ava.
Eddie Marietta – Special Teams Coordinator / Safeties
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Coach Eddie Marietta is in his fourth year at Gilmer High School. He will be coaching defensive backs and teaching various levels of US History. He has twenty plus years of coaching experience. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and played college football at Savannah State University. His wife, Sarah Marietta, is also a teacher at Gilmer High School. His two sons, Edward and Michael, are students in the school system.
Steve Plemons - Inside Linebackers
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Coach Steve Plemons is originally from Sweetwater Tennessee. He played college football at Carson Newman University, and has been in the teaching and coaching profession for 15 years. Of those 15 years, he has been a defensive coordinator for 8 years, a co-Offensive coordinator for one year. Coach Plemons has coached defensive backs, linebackers, defensive line, wide receivers, running backs. He has taught and coached in Gwinnett County, Hall county, Gordon County, Murray County, Pickens county and has spent some time coaching and teaching in Tennessee. He is married to his wife Jennifer and has four children: Alex, who attends Georgia Southern, Keylon, who attends Carson Newman University, Madalynn, who attends Valdosta State, and Ayden who is a junior at McMinn Central high in Tennessee.
Dr. Jeremy Locke | Defensive Line | Operations
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Coach Locke enters his first year at Gilmer County High School; he will coach defensive ends. Before coming to Gilmer, he coached wide receivers and linebackers at Tellico Plains High School (TN). Previously, he served as the offensive coordinator, linebackers coach (2019-21), and head baseball coach (2021-23) at Copper Basin High School (TN). He earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from North Georgia College and State University, a master’s degree in English from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and a PhD in English from the University of Tennessee. He will be teaching English at Gilmer. His wife, Alana Abernathy Locke, owns Volume Salon in Copperhill, TN. They graduated from Fannin County High School and reside near McCaysville, GA. They have two children, Abe (5) and Zeke (3).
Avery Bertolini | Defensive Backs | Baseball
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Coach Avery Bertolini is entering his first year at Gilmer High School. He is coaching cornerbacks and is teaching special education. He is entering his 3rd year coaching football and just finished his second season coaching baseball. He graduated from Gilmer high school in 2019. He also attended the University of North Georgia where he majored in health and physical education. Coach Bertolini is married to Lexi Bertolini. They both are excited to be back home. Go Cats!
Robert J. Cable MS, ATC NREMT-B - Head Athletic Trainer
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Robert J. Cable, MS, ATC, NREMT-B, brings over 35 years of experience as an esteemed athletic trainer to his current role as the Head Athletic Trainer at Gilmer High School. With an impressive career that spanned 34 years at Fairmont State University, Robert is excited to embark on this new journey at Gilmer County High and help develop one of the finest high school sports medicine programs in the state. Having earned his Bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master's degree from West Virginia University, Robert remains actively involved in the athletic training community both regionally and nationally. Throughout his tenure at FSU and his significant contributions to associations like the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association (MAATA), Robert has received numerous accolades and recognitions. Notably, he was honored as the NATA Division II Trainer of the Year in 2010, a prestigious award highlighting his exceptional contributions to the field. Robert's dedication to advancing the athletic training profession is evident through his roles as President of the West Virginia Athletic Trainers Association (WVATA), his involvement with the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Athletic Training Committee, and his contributions to the NATA District 3 Board of Directors. His commitment to community service has been acknowledged by the MAATA, who awarded him their service award in 2015. Additionally, Robert was named the WVATA "Trainer of the Year" in 2007, a testament to his willingness to go above and beyond for the well-being of others. Outside of his professional endeavors, Robert resides in Atlanta with his wife, Jill. They take pride in being parents to their grown children, Courtney Sowerby and Jonathan Cable.
Bob’s program at Fairmont State was widely regarded and considered one of the best in the country. Enthusiastic about his role at Gilmer High School, Robert J. Cable is eager to utilize his extensive experience and expertise to establish an exceptional sports medicine program and foster a culture of excellence among student-athletes.
Robert Nolan – Football Operations
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Prior to coming to Gilmer High School, Coach Nolan worked 31 years in education, teaching physical science, biology, health and P.E. in Georgia and Louisiana. During those 31 years, Coach Nolan enjoyed coaching football, basketball, and weight training. He spent 17 years teaching and coaching in Cherokee County, GA. Two of those years were spent coaching football and basketball at Sequoyah High School. The remaining 15 years were spent coaching football and acting as the heard girls’ basketball coach at Creekview High School. Before coming to Georgia, Coach Nolan spent 14 years teaching and coaching basketball in Bossier and Caddo Parishes located in the Shreveport /Bossier, Louisiana area. For the last 3 years, Coach Nolan has been an assistant coach with the women’s basketball program at Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA. Coach Nolan received a BS in AG-Business from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, where he played basketball. He also received a BS in Health and Physical Education from LSU-Shreveport. Coach Nolan is married to Whitney Lee Nolan, who is the principal at Freedom Middle School in Canton, GA. His hobbies include: gardening, woodworking, cooking, and exercising. He is excited to be part of the Gilmer Football Program!