Steve DeVoursney named new Syrupmaker head football coach
Steve DeVoursney
Dr. Kermit Gilliard, Interim CHS principal and soon -to-be Grady County School Superintendent has appointed Syrupmaker defensive coordinator Steve DeVoursney as the Syrupmakers’ new head coach.
“When Coach Fallaw talked with me about his plan to step down I sought his advise in selecting a new coach. Coach DeVoursney was tops on his list and after having worked with him during this school year and based on his previous coaching experience I believe he will make an excellent head coach for Cairo High School,” Dr. Gilliard said.
DeVoursney spent one year as the Syrupmakers defensive coordinator. During his season leading the defense, Cairo allowed just 11 points a game and won the Region 1-AAAA title. Before coming to Cairo last year, DeVoursney coached for 19 years including 13 full seasons as head coach at Griffin High School, compiling a 128-35 record with the team and winning the 2013 AAAA state title with a perfect 15-0 record. He took over the Bears three games into the 2000 season.
“It’s going to be tough coming in here following coach (Tom) Fallaw, but I’m excited about the challenge to lead the Syrupmakers. We have a great program with a tremendous support system of fans in the community who really love Syrupmaker football, so as a coach that’s exciting,” said DeVoursney.
DeVoursney also said, ” I want to thank Dr. Gilliard for his confidence in me to lead the football program and the Board of Education as well. Our family has really loved being in Cairo this year and are proud to call this community our home.”
Fallaw and DeVoursney have coached together for many years so the new Syrupmaker head coach expects a smooth transition. “We coached together before Coach Fallaw came to Cairo and we spent the last year working together so I’m familiar with the program and how things have been done in the past, I look forward to carrying on the Syrupmaker tradition and bringing in some new things as well,” DeVoursney added.
Athletic Director Todd Jones, who is vacating that post to become principal of Shiver Elementary School, said “Coach DeVoursney has a proven track record as a great football coach. He did a great job as defensive coordinator for us last year and has been a part of a successful program and championship team when he was at Griffin. “
Grady County Superintendent Lee M. Bailey voiced his support for Dr. Gilliard’s selection.
“We are fortunate to have Coach Steve DeVoursney stepping into the head coaching position at CHS. With the strong friendship/relationship between these two fine coaches (DeVoursney and Fallaw), it will surely be a “win-win” situation for Cairo Syrupmaker football. It reminds me somewhat of the Coach Mike Hodges and Coach George Bobo coaching team era at CHS back in 1997-1999. The only folks that may not be happy with this transition are Bearcats, Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs! I’m excited about our athletic potential and can’t wait until we tee-it-up. Dr. Gilliard is doing a splendid job in orchestrating the placement, as well as hiring the very best people in the right positions,” Superintendent Bailey said.
Coach DeVoursney and his wife Jessica, who is a teacher at Washington Middle School, have two daughters, Emma and Paylen.
