Columbia Central hires Bobby Sharp of Lewis County as new football coach

Bobby Sharp, who has been the football coach at Lewis County for 33 seasons, was named the new coach for Columbia Central on Monday. 

"With the experience that he has with working with young people and also developing young men on and off the field that brings a priceless shield," Columbia Central principal Kevin Eady said.

"As administrators, being in the building that will be a benefit not only to the players but the whole school ... Knowing that the athletes have a hall of fame coach coming to them, I'm pretty sure that excites them."

Sharp replaces interim coach John Moore who led the Lions to a 7-5 record and the second round of the Class 5A playoffs where they lost to Green Hill. Moore was named coach in July when   Jason Hoath was fired after the TSSAA dead period.

Sharp had been the coach at Lewis County since 1988 and was 280-118 with the Panthers. Sharp has seven undefeated regular seasons.

Sharp was named the Region 5-2A Coach of the Year in 2020.

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In 2021, Sharp led the Panthers to a 8-4 record and the second round of the the Class 2A playoffs . The Panthers had over 800 passing yards and over 2,700 rushing yards. Defensively the Panthers allowed 16.7 points per game.

Sharp is known for running the wing-T offense. In the 2021 season, Columbia also operated in the wing-T led by quarterback sophomore Luke Uselton and sophomore running back Kayden McCoy. 

Despite the Lions losing players like Bubba Perkins and Q Martin, they still have familiarity within that offense with sophomore Jordan Davis and McCoy returning.