Tracy Malone has resigned as football coach at Whitwell High School to pursue a career outside the coaching profession.
"I really want to thank (Marion County superintendent) Mark Griffith and (school principal) Teena Casseday for the opportunity they gave me," Malone said. "I've been thinking about it since the season ended, and honestly I'm not sure it was the right fit for me.
"I've got a tremendous opportunity in real estate with Geoff Ramsey and Re/Max, and I'm at the point in life where this is the best decision for my family. It's been tough making the long drive, which has caused me to miss some of my son's games, so I feel like it's just the right move for everyone."
Malone coached the Tigers to a 6-6 overall record last season, his first with the program. After finishing runner-up in its region, Whitwell was narrowly beaten by Columbia Academy in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs.
Before taking over at Whitwell, Malone had been a successful coach for four seasons at East Ridge, guiding the Pioneers to a program-best 12-1 finish in 2015.
He began his coaching career as an assistant at Murfreesboro Riverdale, helping the Warriors reach the state title game three times with a championship in 2001. He also has coached at White County and Ardmore (Ala.), taking White County to back-to-back playoff berths and directing an Ardmore team that had gone winless the year before his arrival to an 8-3 finish and a spot in the playoffs.
He has worked as offensive coordinator at two Georgia schools, Mundy's Mill in Jonesboro and Gray High in Gwinnett County, and he has a 29-27 career head-coaching record.
Malone's replacement will be the ninth head coach at Whitwell in the last 14 years.
"I will accept his resignation," Griffith said.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.