LaGrange Grangers Coach's Biography

STEVE PARDUE

Varsity Head Coach / Assistant Athletic Director
Running Back Coach

Hometown: Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Education: B.S. in Physical Education / Health from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN M.Ed. in Physical Education from West Georgia College
School System Position: Coach Pardue teaches Advanced Physical Conditioning at LaGrange High School.
College Sports Experience: 3-year letterman in football at Austin Peay State University
Coaching Experience:
1985 - Fayette County High School (Fayetteville, GA) - Offensive Line
1986 - Albertville (AL) High School - Offensive and Defensive Lines
1987 - 1990 - Crittenden County High School (Marion, KY) - Head Coach
1991 - Present - LaGrange High School
1991 - Outside Linebackers 1991
1992 - Offensive Line
1993 - Defensive Coordinator
1994 - Present Head Coach

Record as Head Coach: Coach Pardue came to LaGrange High School in 1991 as an assistant coach for the State and USA Today National Championship team. He became head coach of the Grangers in 1994, and over the past fourteen years has amassed a record of 137 wins and 33 losses (98-18 in region competition), eight region championships, and three state championships. He and his staff have received the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Region Coach of the Year honors eight times - in 2006, five consecutive times from 2000 through 2004, and for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Coach Pardue was awarded the 2003 Touchdown Club of Atlanta’s Bazemore Award for All-Classification Coach of the Year. In 2001, 2003, and 2004, he received numerous honors including the Atlanta Journal AAA Coach of the Year, Georgia Sports Writers AAA Coach of the Year, GACA - AAA Coach of the Year, and Touchdown Club of Atlanta AAA Coach of the Year. During the summer of 2000, he was an assistant coach for the victorious Georgia team in the Georgia / Florida All-Star Game. In addition to his many coaching honors, Coach Pardue is recognized as an outstanding educator and was selected as the 2006 STAR Teacher at LaGrange High School. He also currently serves as the State Football Chairman on the Board of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.

Family: Coach Pardue's wife is the former Pamela Bennett of Goodlettsville, TN. Pam is employed at Hollis Hand Elementary as a fifth grade teacher. They have a daughter and a son: Morgan, 19, is a 2007 LHS graduate and sophomore at Southern Union State Community College, and future Granger Chas is 12.

revised 9/02/08 STEVE PARDUE Varsity Head Coach / Assistant Athletic Director Running Back Coach Hometown: Hopkinsville, Kentucky Education: B.S. in Physical Education / Health from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN M.Ed. in Physical Education from West Georgia College School System Position: Coach Pardue teaches Advanced Physical Conditioning at LaGrange High School. College Sports Experience: 3-year letterman in football at Austin Peay State University Coaching Experience: 1985 - Fayette County High School (Fayetteville, GA) - Offensive Line 1986 - Albertville (AL) High School - Offensive and Defensive Lines 1987 - 1990 - Crittenden County High School (Marion, KY) - Head Coach 1991 - Present - LaGrange High School 1991 - Outside Linebackers 1991 1992 - Offensive Line 1993 - Defensive Coordinator 1994 - Present Head Coach Record as Head Coach: Coach Pardue came to LaGrange High School in 1991 as an assistant coach for the State and USA Today National Championship team. He became head coach of the Grangers in 1994, and over the past fourteen years has amassed a record of 137 wins and 33 losses (98-18 in region competition), eight region championships, and three state championships. He and his staff have received the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Region Coach of the Year honors eight times - in 2006, five consecutive times from 2000 through 2004, and for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Coach Pardue was awarded the 2003 Touchdown Club of Atlanta’s Bazemore Award for All-Classification Coach of the Year. In 2001, 2003, and 2004, he received numerous honors including the Atlanta Journal AAA Coach of the Year, Georgia Sports Writers AAA Coach of the Year, GACA - AAA Coach of the Year, and Touchdown Club of Atlanta AAA Coach of the Year. During the summer of 2000, he was an assistant coach for the victorious Georgia team in the Georgia / Florida All-Star Game. In addition to his many coaching honors, Coach Pardue is recognized as an outstanding educator and was selected as the 2006 STAR Teacher at LaGrange High School. He also currently serves as the State Football Chairman on the Board of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. Family: Coach Pardue's wife is the former Pamela Bennett of Goodlettsville, TN. Pam is employed at Hollis Hand Elementary as a fifth grade teacher. They have a daughter and a son: Morgan, 19, is a 2007 LHS graduate and sophomore at Southern Union State Community College, and future Granger Chas is 12.
THOMAS CROCKER Varsity Assistant Head Coach / Inside Linebacker Coach Hometown: Hogansville, Georgia Education: B.S. in Physical Education from Auburn University M.Ed. in Physical Education from West Georgia College School System Position: Coach Crocker teaches Physical Education at LaGrange High School. Coaching Experience: 1989 - 1994 - Villa Rica (GA) High School 1994 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Coaching Responsibilities at LHS: Weight Room Coordinator Family: Coach Crocker is married to the former Evyn Young of Villa Rica, GA. They have two sons and a daughter: Cole is 7, Carson is 6, and Landyn is 4 years old.
DONNIE BRANCH Varsity Defensive Coordinator I Defensive Line Coach Hometown: Anniston, Alabama Education: B.S. in Health and Physical Education from University of North Alabama M.Ed. in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Troy State University School System Position: Coach Branch is the In-School Suspension Lead Teacher at LaGrange High School. College Sports Experience: 4-year letterman in baseball Coaching Experience: 1984 - 1986 - Wheeler County High School (Alamo, GA) 1986 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Coaching Responsibilities at LHS: Head Coach of the Varsity Baseball Team. Coach Branch’s teams have won numerous region championships and the 2004 AAA State Championship. Family: Coach Branch is married to the former Angie McElroy of Arab, AL. Angie teaches first grade at Franklin Forest Elementary. Their son, Derek, 20, is a sophomore and member of the baseball team at Chattahoochee Valley Community College, and their daughter, Allison, 15, is an LHS sophomore and member of the varsity tennis team.
DAVID TRAYLOR Varsity Offensive Coordinator I Quarterback Coach Hometown: Athens, Georgia Education: B.A. in Sociology from Washington and Lee University M.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies from West Georgia College Ed.S. in Counseling from State University of West Georgia School System Position: Coach Traylor is a Counselor at LaGrange High School. College Sports Experience: Lettered in football (1 year) and baseball (4years) Coaching Experience: 1978 - Clinch County High School (Homerville, GA) 1978 - 1980 - Cook County High School (Adel, GA) 1980 - 1982 - Wheeler County High School (Alamo, GA) 1982 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Coaching Responsibilities at LHS: Assistant Varsity Tennis Coach Family: Coach Traylor's wife, Sally Nichols Traylor, is a LaGrange native and former LHS Majorette. Their son Tommy, 21, a junior at Auburn University and former Granger kicker, is the sideline reporter for Granger radio broadcasts. Their daughter Angelyn, 17, is a senior and the LHS Majorette Captain.
CLAUDE GIDDENS Varsity Tight End Coach Hometown: Greenville,AL Education:B.S. in Physical Education from Troy State University M.Ed. in Physical Education from University of South Alabama School System Position: Coach Giddens teaches Physical Education at Franklin Forest Elementary SchoolCoaching Experience: 1983 - 1988 - Troup High School 1989 - 1990 - Cartersville (GA) High School 1990 - 1996 - Troup High School 1996 - 2000 - Highland Home (AL) High School – Head Coach 2001 - LaGrange High School 2002 - 2004 - Callaway High School – Head Coach Family: Coach Giddens is married to the former Denise Pruitt, a LaGrange native and teacher at Franklin Forest Elementary School. Their two children are Whitley, 16, a junior Granger Cheerleader, and Zach, age 13.
TODD HERRINGTON Varsity Receiver Coach Hometown: LaGrange Education: B.S. in English from LaGrange College School System Position: Coach Herrington teaches in the English Department at LaGrange High School. College Sports Experience: Played baseball at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and LaGrange College Coaching Experience: 1996 - LaGrange High School - Community Coach 1997 - 1998 - Newnan High School 1999 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Coaching Responsibilities at LHS: Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach Family: Coach Herrington is married to the former Cappie Morrison of Newnan, a kindergarten teacher at Franklin Forest Elementary. The Herrington’s daughter, Mary Ansley, is two years old.
DAVID PLEASANTS Varsity Offensive Line Coach Hometown: Riverdale, Georgia Education: East Central Mississippi Junior College B.S. in Social Science from West Georgia College M.Ed. in Social Science from West Georgia College M.Ed. in Administration from Jacksonville State University Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Troy University School System Position: Coach Pleasants teaches in the Social Studies Department at LHS. College Sports Experience: Played football and golf, was named to the Academic All-Gulf South Conference Football Team in 1986, and received the Male Academic Athlete of the Year Award in 1987. Coaching Experience: 1987 - 1988 - West Georgia College - Graduate Assistant 1988 - 1993 - LaGrange High School 1994 - 1998 - Rome High School 1999 - Peach County High School 2000 - 2001- Rockmart High School 2002 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Coaching Responsibilities at LHS: Golf Coach Family: Coach Pleasants’ wife, the former Catherine Dukes, is a LaGrange native and LHS graduate. Their daughter, Kennedy, is 11, and their son, Jack David, is 8.
PAUL PICKETT Varsity Defensive Back Coach Hometown: Enterprise, Alabama Education: B.S. in Secondary Education – History/Biology from University of Alabama M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from University of Alabama School System Position: Coach Pickett teaches World History at LHS. College Sports Experience: Coach Pickett played football at Alabama, and in 1997, he was named Team Captain and was selected for the Academic AII-SEC Team. Coaching Experience: 2001 - 2002 - Fairhope (AL) High School 2002 - 2003 - Callaway High School (LaGrange) 2003 - LaGrange High School Granger Trivia: Coach Pickett, a former Granger, was a junior on the 1991 State and National Championship Team. His father, Coach Sam Pickett, was the defensive back coach for the Grangers at that time. Paul graduated from LHS in 1993. Family: Coach Pickett is married to the former Christine Miller of Fairhope, Alabama. She is an enrichment teacher at Franklin Forest Elementary School. The Picketts have two daughters: Miller is four years old, and Lofton just celebrated her first birthday
JAMIE BOZEMAN Varsity Outside Linebacker Coach Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia Education: Snead State Community College B.S. in Social Studies Education from Auburn University School System Position: Coach Bozeman teaches in the Social Studies Department at LHS. College Sports Experience: Member of National Championship Co-ed Cheering Squad at Snead State Community College. Coaching Experience: 2002 - Present - LaGrange High School Family: Coach Bozeman is married to the former Sabrina Rhoden of Boaz, Alabama. She is a Speech and Language Pathologist at Franklin Forest Elementary. The Bozeman’s daughter, Madalyn, is five years old, and their son, Jackson, is 17 months old
JASON WILLIS Ninth Grade Assistant Coach Hometown: LaGrange, Georgia Education: Central Alabama Community College B.S. in Middle School Education from LaGrange College School System Position: Coach Willis teaches fourth grade at Berta Weathersbee Elementary. College Sports Experience: Played baseball at Central Alabama Community College and LaGrange College. Coaching Experience: 2002 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Coaching Responsibilities at LHS: Head Coach - 9th grade baseball Family: Coach Willis is married to the former Katie Bush, a LaGrange native who also teaches at Berta Weathersbee Elementary. They are the proud parents of a brand new baby son, Brady, born August 25^th.
CAL HYERS Ninth Grade Assistant Coach Hometown: Waycross, Georgia Education: B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Georgia Southern College School System Position: Coach Hyers is the Physical Education Specialist at Unity Elementary. College Sports Experience: Played with the Georgia Southern Rugby Club Coaching Experience: 1986 - 1999 - Ware County High School (Waycross, GA) 2003 - LaGrange High School Family: Coach Hyers is married to the former Jill Sprague of Roanoke, Alabama. Jill teaches at LaGrange High School. They have a son and a daughter: Lew, age 12, and Meg, age 9.
DARREN GRAVAT Head Athletic Trainer Hometown: Whidbey Island, Washington Education: B.G.S. in Athletic Training and History / Secondary Education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA School System Position: Mr. Gravat teaches Social Studies at LaGrange High School. College Sports Experience: Served as Student Trainer for 4 1/2 years at James Madison University. Experience as Athletic Trainer: 1991 - 1995 - Potomac High School (Prince William County, VA) - Head Athletic Trainer 1995 - Present - LaGrange High School Other Responsibilities at LHS: In addition to his football responsibilities, Mr. Gravat serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for ALL sports at LHS. Family: Mr. “G” is married to the former Jodie McCoy, a native of New Jersey. Their family includes two daughters: Emily Chancey, age 10, and Rebekah, who is 3 years old.
TRAVIS HART Ninth Grade Lay Coach Hometown: LaGrange, Georgia Education: 2005 Graduate of LaGrange High School Eastern Kentucky University Sports Experience: Coach Hart was a three-year letterman at LHS and played on the 2001, 2003, and 2004 State Championship football teams. He also was a two-year letterman in football at Eastern Kentucky.
JAY RUSSELL Athletic Director I Head Ninth Grade Coach Hometown: Athens, Georgia Education: B.S. in Education from University of Georgia M.Ed. in Education from University of Georgia M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University College Sports Experience: 3-year letterman at University of Georgia Coaching Experience: 1983 - 1984 - Barnesville Academy - Athletic Director I Head Football and Baseball Coach 1985 - 1991 - Georgia Southern University - Assistant Football Coach 1992 - 1993 - Rabun County High School - Athletic Director I Head Football Coach 1994 - 1998 - Stephens County High School - Athletic Director I Head Football Coach 1999 - 2000 - Gordon Central High School - Athletic Director I Head Football Coach 2000 - Georgia / Florida All-Star Game Coaching Staff Overall record as a head varsity coach: 70 –37 2000 - Present - LaGrange High School - Athletic Director 2002 - 2003 - President of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association 2003 - Present - LaGrange High School - Head Ninth Grade Coach Family: Coach Russell is married to the former Ida Hudson of LaGrange. Their family also includes five children: Mandy, 25; Davis, 23; Murphy, 18; Henry, 16; and Fred, 13.

CLAUDE GIDDENS