Banks County football names new head coach in Parson

HOMER -- Banks County football has found a future rooted in its past.

Earlier this week the Banks County School Board approved Banks County native Biff Parson, 34, as the Leopards new head football coach. Parson will return to the school where his father, Ronnie, was head coach 1979-1988.

"It's exciting; it feels right; it's a good fit," Parson said via phone interview on Wednesday. "I'm blessed, but to start my head coaching career where my dad started his career is cool."

A graduate of Franklin County High, Parson played collegiately at Liberty University and briefly in the Canadian Football League before becoming a coach. Parson's career includes stints as an assistant at Hart County High, Liberty and NFL Europe -- where he helped the Frankfurt Galaxy to two World Bowl appearances. He returned to the United States after the 2007 season and has since assisted at Dublin, Lamar County and Mary Persons, where he served as defensive coordinator last year.

Parson follows Philip Jones, who left the Leopards after two seasons to join the staff at Brookwood High. Jones led Banks County to a 10-11 record, including a subregion title and state playoff appearance in 2011. The Leopards went 3-7 in 2012.

"I had a chance to talk to coach Jones recently, and he did a great job, as did Blair Armstrong before him. They had that program going in the right direction," Parson said. "I've got to keep the ball rolling. All it takes is a program to have a winning attitude and that can be contagious."

Banks County has put up winning marks in three of its last five seasons after not finishing above .500 in any of the 10 years prior.

"I don't feel like I'm rebuilding anything, but I know that's a tough region, and it will be a challenge -- but it's a challenge I'm excited for," Parson said. "The biggest thing is I want to build kids with character. If all I do is coach blocking and tackling then I've failed."

Parson says he wants to bring a balanced, pro-style offense to the Leopards and has utilized a 3-4 defense for the past four years at Mary Persons and Lamar County -- though he will base his systems around the talent he has available.

"You've got to be able to run and pass the ball to be successful," Parson said. "This is very exciting. I've still got friends and relatives there, and I'm ready to get back there and get to work."