Press Release: Rome High School principal, Dr. J. Tygar Evans, is pleased to announce that Mr. Franco Perkins, current teacher and football coach at Rome High School, has been named to the position of Head Football Coach of the Rome Wolves. Coach Perkins replaces Sid Fritts who recently announced his resignation.

Coach Perkins has been teaching health and physical education and coaching at Rome High since 1997. He will continue in his teaching role in addition to assuming head football coaching responsibilities.

Coach Perkins is a 1996 graduate of Carson Newman College. His post-graduation work includes a M.Ed. degree and an Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership from Jacksonville State University. His professional affiliations include: the National Education Association of Educators, the Georgia Association of Educators, and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.

According to Dr. Evans, "Coach Perkins has great rapport with our students. He is a graduate of the Rome City School System. He knows our school system and Rome High School. He knows our expectations. He will bring a passion to our football program that will connect with our entire student body. Coach Perkins recognizes that academic achievement is our first priority. However, he also understands that athletic achievement is a powerful motivator in achieving academic excellence. I look forward to continuing to work with Coach Perkins in his new role and anticipate he will take our football program to the highest level of accomplishment."

Coach Perkins will work closely with Teacher/Coach Kevin Strickland, who was named, in January of 2010, to the position of Athletic Director. Coach Strickland is currently an English teacher and Head Basketball Coach of the Runnin' Lady Wolves who just completed a Region Championship, state playoff year at 29-2. Coach Strickland was named STAR teacher in 2004. He holds both a B.S. degree and a M.Ed. degree from Jacksonville State University. He has an Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

According to Dr. Evans, "Both Coach Strickland and Coach Perkins have established records of accomplishment in academics and athletics that are well known to our parents and community. I look forward to continuing to work with each of them in their new leadership roles."

Coach Perkins is married to Jennifer Perkins, principal of Rome Transitional Academy and Coach Strickland is married to Erin Strickland, Rome High School Media Specialist.

Both Perkins and Strickland will assume their new roles on March 29, 2010 after Coach Fritts leaves his employment with the Rome City Schools.