Helping guide the Warren County Pioneers this season is newly acquired offensive line coach JoeDan Gudger. Coach Gudger is married and has two children, ages 8 and 7. He resides in Marion County where he played high school football. After high school, Gudger went on to play college football at Western Carolina.
When his playing days were over Gudger still had a passion for football and a desire to teach the game to young athletes. He decided the best way to teach and give back would be to coach football. Gudger headed back to Marion County where he was an assistant.
While in Marion County as a coach, Gudger was involved with a vandalism prank at the high school. It all began in the early morning hours Nov. 1, when the Marion County field house was vandalized. According to reports, coach Gudger was one of two assistants charged in the incident at the school.
Early that Friday morning, the Marion County field house was spray painted in its rival’s team colors by members of its coaching staff. The prank was supposed to entice the team into playing harder against the opponent. It did not take long for local investigators to close in.
The following Monday, Gudger went to Marion County Superintendent Mark Griffith and told him what had happened. He continued to coach for three more weeks before he resigned.
Coach Gudger said, “I just don’t want to bring any more embarrassment to our program.”
The coaches were charged after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
Gudger made his way to North Jackson High School located in Alabama where he worked alongside head football coach Mark Rose.
Coach Rose said, “He has a great family and no one will out work coach Gudger.”
“If I had a position open for him right now, he would be here.” Rose added.
Gudger continued to desire a coaching position and to teach football. He saw the Warren County posting online and had several friends coaching in the area. Gudger contacted Pioneer head football coach Tom Moore and expressed interest in coming on board at Warren County. Coach Moore talked with Gudger and immediately knew the situation. They continued to correspond through phone calls and emails.
“Gudger was very forward about the incident and told me he was ready to move on. Gudger has a very extensive knowledge about football,” said Moore.
The two decided it was time to meet with WCHS Principal Jimmy Walker and Warren County athletic director Todd Willmore. After much discussion about Gudger, a second meeting was called. Coach Moore desired an assistant who is passionate about football and wants to teach football. The three discussed it and decided Gudger would be a good hire for Warren County when a position opened.
Moore filled former football coach Scott Smith’s position as PE teacher after his abrupt departure. When an opening allowed coach Moore to get back into the classroom he took it, leaving an open position for Gudger to take over.
According to Gudger, he desires a position where he can teach and coach. He told the Southern Standard he made a mistake two years ago and he owned up to his mistake. With no sanctions placed against him, he just wants to get started coaching in Warren County and wants to get started on the right foot.
Coach Gudger also wants the focus to remain on the Pioneers and building a better Warren County football program.