Archived News

Jim Showfety is back in the county where he enjoyed his first taste of success as a high school football head coach.

Showfety recently was named the new head football coach at Dunwoody after two seasons at Northview in Fulton County. Prior to his Northview stint, Showfety led Chamblee to the Class AAA state semifinals and a 12-2 record in his first year as a head coach. It was Chamblee’s best record in school history.

“Dunwoody is a very, very intriguing situation,” Showfety said. “Having coached at Chamblee, I have a great deal of respect for the program. Dunwoody as a whole is a very solid all-around school with great academics, athletics and community support. Those are three critical factors to the success of any school.”

Showfety is one of three coaches who were hired in DeKalb County last week. Also, Lithonia interim head coach Marcus Jelks was named head coach and Avondale head coach Michael Carson was named head coach at M.L. King, replacing Corey Jarvis, who is now at Duluth. There are head football coach openings at Avondale, McNair and Chamblee.

Northview’s football team has struggled, winning only 19 games since the school opened eight years ago. Showfety was 2-18 in his two seasons.

“We went through some very challenging times with various coaches being sent out of the building,” Showfety said.

Several were surplussed, meaning they were offered contracts at different schools within the county but were allowed to stay on at Northview as coaches.

Showfety said he is excited about the support for the football program and athletics in general at Dunwoody.

“I feel like Dr. (Kevin) Harris and Steve Fortenberry, the principal and the athletics liaison, are very determined to try to build a top-notch athletic program,” Showfety said.

Carson will be stepping into a good situation at M.L. King. Carson was 7-14 in two seasons at Avondale and last year led the Blue Devils to their first winning season and playoff berth since 1989. He was an assistant coach at M.L. King from 2005-07.

Carson will be greeted at M.L. King by a senior class that he coached as freshmen. M.L. King, which opened eight years ago, has been to the state playoffs seven straight seasons.

“As a coach, you want to have an opportunity to get on the highest stage out there, and MLK has a heck of a football program,” Carson said. “Any coach would want the opportunity to see what they can do at that level.”

Carson was a teacher at M.L. King and interviewed for the head football coach job that went to Jarvis. Carson was hired by Jarvis and went on to become the assistant head coach for the Lions.

Like Showfety, Carson looks forward to his new challenge and the opportunity it presents.

“The history and success of this program and the tremendous amount of school pride make it an ideal situation,” Carson said. “I think we can get done what we need to get done and make some runs for a state championship.”