Sharp becomes full-time athletic director at season's end

Jerry Sharp, a member of the Darlington faculty since 1986, will become Darlington’s first full-time athletic director following his final season as head football coach this year. Sharp, who has taught physical education and served as head football coach while also serving as Darlington's athletic director, will be able to focus 100 percent of his efforts on his increased athletic director responsibilities. He will take on management of the new A.J. Huffman’67 Memorial Athletic Center, including all scheduling, attending events, and coordinating use of the building, in addition to his ongoing responsibility for all other athletic activities.

“I’m excited about having more time to spend training and advising coaches and supervising the region and state tournaments that we have agreed to host in the new facility,” Sharp said. “I also look forward to being able to attend more sports and watch the kids compete.”

In Sharp’s 34 years of coaching football, he has won 220 games, lost 97 games, and tied 8. He has coached a total of 3 state championships, 2 back-to-back championships at East Rome High and Darlington’s first football state championship in 1998.

He played football and was captain of the team for East Rome High School. After graduating, Sharp attended Carson-Newman College, where he continued to play football and earned a bachelor of science degree. He was also captain of the team in his senior year.