2022 GILMER BOBCAT FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Paul Standard-Head Football Coach/Gilmer County Athletic Director
Coach Standard and his family are excited to begin their third year at Gilmer County High School! Coach Standard enters his 23rd year as Head Football Coach and 39th year overall in education and coaching. 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. This record surpassed 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 eight region championships, went to the playoffs eighteen seasons, had twelve top ten rankings, and a 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 in 1985 at Loganville and continued there for one year (1985-1986 Defensive/Offensive Line), he then spent five years at Meadowcreek (1986-1990 Offensive/Defensive Line), 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. 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, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020. Coach Standard was named the Dekalb County Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2014. He was named Head Coach of the North Team in the GACA All-Star Game in 2014. He has been married for 37 years to the former Cindy Renee Harper. 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), who will be the Offensive Coordinator at Gilmer and teach PE. Elizabeth Standard Reynolds (Georgia Southern University ‘14 BA History, Georgia State ‘15 MS in secondary education) is 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) who works as an Occupational Therapist at Augusta University Hospital. Margaret May who is a sophomore 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 and Head Strength Coach
This is Coach Nelson’s 3rd 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 severed 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 and is married to Leigh. They have three daughters Anna (husband Brady), Ashley, & Amanda.
P.G. Standard – Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
Coach Standard enters his 3rd year at Gilmer High where he will be coaching the running backs. Prior to coming to Gilmer High, 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, but 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 a teacher at Ellijay Elementary. They have a son, Paul Reilly Standard, who was born in May of 2022.
Drew Gaddy- Offensive Line
Drew Gaddy and his family are excited for another season of Bobcat Football at Gilmer High School. Coach Gaddy is entering his 11th year of coaching and teaching and his 3rd 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 were 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 his wife, Haley Gaddy, and they have a son, SJ Gaddy (2). Go Bobcats!
ASHLEY DeWITT - Offensive Line Coach
Coach Ashley DeWitt begins his 3rd 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.
Jeff Thurman - Receivers
Coach Thurman is entering into his 19th season coaching football, and has 22 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 18 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 2023 season. Coach Thurman is also the head baseball coach for the Bobcats and has been for a total of 15 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 16 years, and is currently teaching at Ellijay Elementary School. They have 5 children, Lucy 20, Lily 17, Payden 9, Payleigh 9, and Scotlin 5.
Patrick Daley - Defensive Line
This will be Coach Daley’s 6th year as a Gilmer Bobcat. 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 is married to Jennifer Daley and has three children, Gavin 16, Aria 6, and Ava 4. Coach Daley teaches English and is from Copperhill, TN. He has a B.A. Degree from the University of Richmond and a Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee.
Eddie Marietta-Secondary and Special Teams Coordinator
Coach Eddie Marietta is in his third 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.
David Wright – Inside Linebackers
David Wright will coach the Inside Linebackers. Coach Wright has 18 years of experience. He began coaching at Dacula High School in 2004. David has coached at Taylorsville High School (UT), Wilkinson County Christian Academy, Central Gwinnett High School, Norcross High School, & Archer High School. Coach Wright graduated with a B.S. Auburn University (01) & M.A.T. LaGrange College (04). He graduated from Collins Hill High School in 1997. Coach Wright is married to Dani Wright. She is the Gilmer Head Girls Basketball Coach and assistant varsity volleyball coach. He has two boys Tyler (15) Easton (12).
Heath Hinton-Outside Linebackers/Technology Coordinator
This will be Coach Heath Hinton’s fifth year at Gilmer High School. He has been coaching football and teaching science for 25 years. Coach Hinton coached for four years in South Georgia before returning to his alma mater, Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA, where he taught and coached for ten years. In 2010-11, Coach Hinton was part of the Broncos’ AAAAAA State Championship in football in the Fall and then led the Men’s Tennis Team to a State Championship that Spring. After leaving Brookwood, Coach Hinton was head football coach at Lakeside High School in Atlanta and led the program back to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. Coach Hinton lives in Morganton with his family: he and his wife Susan, who will also be teaching at Gilmer High this year, have been married for 17 years and their son, Sam, is 11 years old and will attend Clear Creek Middle.
Robert Nolan – Assistant Coach - Sideline Operations - Strength
Prior to coming to Gilmer High School, Coach Nolan worked for 31 years in education, teaching Physical Science, Biology, Health and PE in Georgia and Louisiana. During those 31 years Coach Nolan enjoyed coaching football, basketball, and weight training. Coach Nolan taught and coached 17 years in Cherokee County, GA, two years coaching football and basketball at Sequoyah HS and 15 years at Creekview HS coaching football and head girls basketball. Before that he taught and coached football and basketball for 14 years in Bossier and Caddo Parishes in the Shreveport/Bossier LA 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 degree in Health and Physical Education from LSU-Shreveport, LA. Coach Nolan is married to Whitney Lee Nolan who is the Principal at Freedom Middle School in Canton, GA. His hobbies are gardening, woodworking, cooking, and exercising. He is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Gilmer Football Program!
Matt Christmas – Assistant Coach - Defensive Line
Matt Christmas will be starting his first year with the Gilmer Bobcats as a Defensive Line Coach. Matt has seven years of experience coaching football at the varsity level. Matt coached outside linebackers at Midland Valley High School in South Carolina and was the Defense Coordinator at Jefferson Forest High School in Virginia, where he coached defensive backs and outside linebackers. Matt has a B.A in Spanish and a B.S in World Language Education from the University of Georgia.
Robert J. Cable MS, ATC NREMT-B - Head Athletic Trainer
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.