Cartersville's Barden to take over at Stephens County

TOCCOA -- Stephens County has reeled in an established name to take over Indians football.

Longtime Cartersville coach Frank Barden has accepted both the Indians head coach and athletic director positions, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Barden went 154-58-1 in 18 years with Cartersville, including the 1999 Class AA title. He will replace Travis Noland, who went 73-30 in nine seasons at Stephens County, reaching the playoffs in eight of those campaigns.

Noland recently accepted the head coaching position at Oconee County.

Stephens County went 5-6 in 2013, finishing fourth in Region 8-AAAA. The Indians will continue to play in a re-shaped 8-AAAA in 2014-15, which will also include 2013 playoff teams Buford (Class AAA champs), Chestatee, Monroe Area, North Hall, North Oconee and White County.

The Purple Hurricanes went 11-1 in 2013, falling in the Class AAA second round.