Following the departure of Erick Herrick, who moved on to North Hall, the Lady Tigers of Dawson County were without a leader. Enter Will Anglin. If you had an endless number of candidates, you couldn’t name a better fit than Anglin. A Dawson County alum, he returned after college to teach and coach basketball.

“I really can’t put into words how excited I am. Obviously, being from this county I understand the history of this program and the amount of success they have had in recent years,” says Anglin. “I am looking forward to having a chance to continue that success over the next several years. As someone who bleeds maroon and gold, I believe I will provide a passion and consistency that this program desperately needs. The amount of support I have received from this community has been overwhelming. My family and I are blessed to be a part of this community.”

Anglin becomes the new head coach of the Lady Tigers officially after the Dawson County board approved the decision this week. Anglin will take over a team that went 17-11, advanced to the state tournament, and returns much of its talent including rising senior Kirklyn Porter. Obviously, the program expects to compete at a high level.

“My goal is to rebuild a family mentality and embrace great community support,” adds Anglin. “I will be extremely involved in our youth programs starting at the rec department and moving through the middle school. We will host coaching clinics for rec coaches and fundamental camps to ensure the future of Lady Tiger basketball. Our teams will be committed to playing for the name on the front of their jersey instead of the name on the back. We will try to bring a fierce defensive mentality while maintaining composure to execute well on offense. I want to make sure each player has the best high school experience possible and I will make sure that they know the scoreboard will not define our success.”

Anglin was a standout athlete while at Dawson County, and was a vital part of the 2011-12 Elite 8 team that won a region title and came seconds away from a Final Four berth. He was also a member of the 2012 Dawson County football team that posted a 6-win season that got the Tigers into the playoffs after a lengthy drought of not going.

“The players were so excited when we broke the news to them this morning,” adds Anglin. “Mrs. Negley and Coach Fowler had all of the girls meet us in the lunchroom to break the news. It was pretty cool to watch their faces light up when they walked up and saw me standing there. Many of them have been fighting for me as soon as the job was posted. As a coach, there is no greater feeling than knowing that your players are fighting for you. I am looking forward to spending several years going to war with these young ladies. There is not a better group of kids in the state of Georgia and I am blessed to be their coach.”