Successful Student Athlete Becomes Successful Coach

Successful football and wrestling coach, Michael Jernigan, achieved greatness in both wrestling and football.

“I really enjoyed football, it was probably my favorite, thats what got me into college and gave me a degree,” Jernigan said. Jernigan received athletic scholarships in college.

Although Coach Jernigan does not remember how he got started, he has played football from age eight to 22.

“I was very fortunate to play [sports] with some bigger names throughout the metro area,” Jernigan said. As a younger child, Jernigan played many different sports including football, wrestling, baseball, and soccer.

As a coach, Jernigan looks back on his past and has realized that his parents were the two most important people throughout his athletic career.

“My parents are definitely my two biggest supporters. Even now, they still come to all of the school’s events when I’m coaching,” Jernigan said.

Jernigan’s supporters are both his parents and other coaches.

“I’m very fortunate to take different pieces and philosophies from these other coaches that have been around for a while and had successful programs and I can kinda think of myself as an all-star coach,” Jernigan said.