GAINESVILLE -- Gainesviile High announced Tuesday that David Hawkins has been named the new girls softball coach.
Hawkins is replacing Roger Parham, who left after just one season. Hawkins currently serves as an assistant boys basketball coach and assistant baseball coach for the Red Elephants.
“It was a combination of me looking and them asking me if had some interest,” Hawkins said. "I saw about 90 percent of their games last year so I am familiar with the team."
Gainesville had its best season ever with a 15-11 record in the fall.
“We’re going to try and build on what they did last year," Hawkins said. "Coach Parham did a great job of instilling confidence in the girls.”
Hawkins is in his 12th year teaching and coaching and second year at Gainesville. His previous experience includes stints as the Johnson High baseball coach, where he led the Knights to a "Sweet Sixteen" appearance. He also had two separate stints as an assistant baseball coach at Flowery Branch High.
He said building for consistency will be a top priority.
“My philosophy is to try and build something that will be consistent from year to year," Hawkins said. "Usually a new coach has to start at the bottom but coach Parham came in and established the program and a place to play. Now we need to get a solid middle school program off the ground to help feed the high school program.”
Hawkins played baseball and basketball at Johnson High before playing baseball collegiately at Truett-McConnell College and later at Georgia State University.
Due to new GHSA rules governing softball, rosters must be set by the end of the school year. Hawkins said they will have to work around the finish of the baseball season, where he is still an assistant. The Red Elephants currently are in the second round, which begins on Wednesday.
