South Meck football coach James Martin resigns, to become asst. at Rock Hill Northwestern

South Mecklenburg football coach James Martin has resigned to become defensive coordinator at Rock Hill Northwestern High.

In a statement that he texted to the Observer, Martin said his resignation from South Meck is effective immediately.

“This has been a family decision,” he wrote, “that myself and my wife have made together. I have enjoyed my years at South and turning this program around.”

Martin started at South Meck in the 2006 season, when he replaced Greg Ganfield. He was the Sabres' fifth coach in eight seasons.

Martin was 26-46 in six seasons, but made turned South Meck into a consistently competitive team. He led the Sabres to the N.C. 4A semifinals in 2008. His 2007 team finished 7-4 but had to forfeit all of its games due to an inadvertent ineligible player.

With his current move, Martin follows another successful N.C. head coach who took an assistant position in South Carolina.

After leading Weddington to a successful season in 2010, head coach Justin Hardin left to take the
offensive coordinator position at Rock Hill South Pointe for the 2011 season. He helped South Pointe win the 2011 state championship.

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