Jefferson’s Calhoun announces 2025 Coach of the Year!

Jefferson’s of Calhoun is pleased to announce that Kyle Smith has been named Jefferson’s Calhoun Coach of the Year. Smith coaches wrestling at Calhoun Middle and boys’ tennis at Calhoun High. He has been coaching for five years.

Coach Smith was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by athletes and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Coach’s Day on Oct. 6, serves to recognize one of Calhoun’s many deserving coaches. Jefferson’s selected Smith as the Calhoun Coach of the Year for his kindness and his individual investment in each of his players.

“Coach Smith’s nominators spoke of his fairness and uplifting coaching style,” said franchisee Wayne Mullinax. “His athletes spoke of his fluidity as a coach: he can be at turns humorous or motivating, and has a unique ability to cater his coaching to each individual athlete. It was clear that the generosity of his coaching style has not only inspired his athletes, but that Coach Smith is also respected and beloved by his players.”

Smith will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and his achievement will be commemorated with a “Jefferson’s Coach of the Year” plaque that will be displayed in the Calhoun Jefferson’s.

“I’ve had several influential Coaches in my life that played pivotal roles in why I wanted to pursue this career,” Smith said in a statement. “Growing up playing sports, I always knew I wanted to be a coach in some capacity at the middle/high school level. My own coaches and teachers had more of an impact on me than they will ever know. I hope I can be the light for every student-athlete I interact with.”

Last year was the launch of the Coach of the Year program, with Lenny Gregory, head football coach for the Gordon Central High School Warriors, selected as the first-ever Calhoun Coach of the Year. 

The Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award was open to coaches of any sport working with athletes of any age. Coaches could be nominated by athletes, parents and guardians of athletes, school officials, or other community members.