Shannon Fagan/Cherokee County Herald
Brian Sexton recently accepted an assistant coaching position at his alma mater, Hokes Bluff.
After spending the past five years coaching at Gaylesville, Brian Sexton answered the call to return home.
Sexton was recently hired as the lineman coach at Hokes Bluff. He will also assist with the Eagle baseball team.
Sexton officially accepted his new duties back in mid-June following completion of the Gaylesville baseball team’s summer workouts.
“It’s a real honor to be asked by (Hokes Bluff) Coach (Mike) Robertson to come back home where I played,” said Sexton, who played on the line at Hokes Bluff from 1998-2002. “When I walked in the field house that first day, and saw my picture hanging on the wall, it was a big sense of pride. I feel like this is a place where I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in. Just getting to go back and coach the position I played is really a good feeling.”
Sexton said he didn’t come to his decision lightly.
Following the Trojans’ 3-8 football playoff season, Sexton took over the baseball duties at Gaylesville. He guided the Trojans to an 11-17 season.
“The kids at Gaylesville made this a real competitive team,” Sexton said. “I struggled with the decision to leave for two weeks. Gaylesville’s a special place, and it’s always going to be. I’m always going to have a love for Gaylesville and the community. I really hope they continue to be successful.”
Gaylesville principal Scott Hays said he appreciates Sexton’s contributions to the Trojan athletic programs, especially the baseball team.
“He’s very committed to baseball,” Hays said. “He made it his top priority and did a great job with the team. The players rallied around him. He’s a good coach, and he did a good job of motivating the team.
“We hate to lose him. He had an opportunity to go back home to Hokes Bluff. Hokes Bluff has a deep tradition, and he’s going to get to help out with that.
“No one can blame him for that. We appreciate what he did at Gaylesville, and we hope we can build from what he started here and go forward.”
Hays declined comment on a timetable for Sexton’s replacement.
Hokes Bluff head coach Mike Robertson is pleased that Sexton is returning to his alma mater.
“Brian is a very dedicated individual and puts forth maximum effort in whatever he does. He played center for us on our [2001] state championship football team. He is a very motivated person and knows what it takes to win.”
Robertson said Sexton is more than just a good coach.
“Brian is a family man and he comes from a great Hokes Bluff family. He is great with the kids and we are all very excited to have him back home.”
Joshua Price contributed to this story.