Meet Jimmy Sorrells, Head Boys’ Track Coach at Carrollton High School
The man at the helm of the storied Georgia high school’s successful track and field program talks creating a coaching culture, honouring a proud legacy and driving success through lessons on the track
Jimmy Sorrells grew up in Carrollton, Georgia, doing track and field in both high school and at the University of West Georgia, developing a passion for running as a sport. Earning his degree in education, he coached at varsity level before becoming coach at the brand-new Flowery Branch High School (Georgia) in 2002, building a track and field program from the ground up. His coaching path eventually led to a close friendship with the legendary Craig Musselwhite, then head coach at Carrollton High School and now the Business Development Representative at Sports Turf.
On returning to his home town to coach at Carrollton High School…
Five years ago, an opportunity arose for me to return home and coach at Carrollton High School. This move was doubly meaningful, as it allowed me to care for my aging parents while taking up a significant role in the local athletic community. Following Coach Musselwhite's retirement, I was honoured to succeed him as the head boys' track coach. Under his mentorship, I've learned so much about Carrollton's evolving community, embracing my role and contributing to the incredible legacy of Carrollton High School's track and field program.
On creating a coaching culture from the ground up…
Building a successful athletic program at Flowery Branch High School, which opened in 2002, I learned that it's not just about finances, facilities or equipment, but about embracing the community and understanding its unique dynamics. We merged students from different schools, creating a new vision. This process involved understanding parental expectations, administrative support and cultivating a shared vision with the athletes.
I pursued further coaching education through USA Track and Field, which was instrumental in my development as a coach. As the saying goes, people may forget your words or actions, but they never forget how you made them feel.
Focusing on building strong relationships with athletes, has been the cornerstone of our success, leading to championships and personal growth for me as a coach. It's the bond and trust between coach and athlete that truly builds champions.
“You can’t look at our track without wanting to take a lap on it! Coaches and visitors consistently praise our facilities, often awestruck by their quality and scale. Our facility not only serves our athletes but attracts and inspires the wider community.”
On the prestigious and successful Track and Field program at Carrollton
Carrollton High School has won 28 state championships, and it stands as a beacon of athletic excellence in Georgia. This legacy, dating back to the early 1970s, was meticulously recorded by previous coaches, including Craig Musselwhite, who passed this archive to me. Among these records were contributions from Jerry Arnold, a pivotal figure in both my personal journey and Carrollton's track success.
The Carrollton community embraces this track legacy, such as the prestigious Carrollton Coca-Cola Relays, which was a cornerstone event in Georgia's track and field landscape.
The school's reputation is not only a testament to its past champions but also to the ongoing support from successful alumni, including numerous NFL players who attribute part of their success to their Carrollton experience.
This enduring commitment from past athletes, who return to coach and support, embodies the spirit of giving back as part of Carrollton's athletic tradition.
People like NFL player Jonathan Jones (Cornerback for the New England Patriots), a Carrollton alum, credits his success to Coach Musselwhite's emphasis on speed. When he recently visited Carrollton, he inspired our athletes by highlighting the importance of track in football success; lessons learned on the track can absolutely drive athletic achievements in other sports.
The facilities at Carrollton
Carrollton High School's state-of-the-art track and field complex, a host site since 2015, is an exceptional facility that has evolved with the sport's growth in Georgia. It includes an eight-lane Rekortan M track, with the entire infield, minus the turf field, covered in track surface. This unique design allows for two pole vault runways, two high jump pits, and three long jump and triple jump runways, seamlessly integrated with the track.
The stadium is capable of seating 10,000 spectators, which enhances the overall experience, making it a coveted venue for state championships. Our recent upgrades include a specialized seal over the track surface, maintaining its quality and adding a glossy finish. This balance in the track’s firmness caters perfectly to both sprinters and distance runners.
You can't look at our track without wanting to take a lap on it! Coaches and visitors consistently praise our facilities, often awestruck by their quality and scale. At Carrollton, it’s like Field of Dreams: ‘If you build it, they will come.’ Our facility not only serves our athletes but attracts and inspires the wider community.
On his goals and dreams
Since starting as boys’ head coach in 2021, I've led Carrollton's track team through some memorable moments, including winning our 28th state championship. That victory was especially poignant, with former coach Craig Musselwhite presenting the trophy, symbolizing a passing of the torch. In 2022, we narrowly missed the championship, finishing as state runner-up by just a few points, but still proving our program's strength and direction.
During my time, Carrollton has set state records and showcased talent across various events, moving to the largest school classification and maintaining a top-10 finish. We pride ourselves on being a well-rounded team under the guidance of exceptional coaches (including a former Olympic trials qualifier).
My goal is to continue shaping the community's running and track and field legacy for at least five more years. As a cross country coach, I'm driven to capture the elusive state cross country title for Carrollton, and I'm equally focused on elevating our girls' team, aiming for top finishes and possibly a title.
In my time as head coach, we've broken 12 school records, which reflects my coaching philosophy: instilling belief in athletes, helping them realize and achieve their potential. My ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impact on Carrollton's track and field and cross-country programs.