This alteration in coaching will create a ripple effect across North Carolina.

J.K. Adkins, a successful head coach who has won two state championships, is departing from Mount Airy High School to join Freedom High School in Morganton. This marks a return to Burke County for Adkins, as he previously coached at Patton in 2008 and 2009.

On Tuesday morning, the official athletic department account for Mount Airy shared the news on the X platform.

In both 2022 and 2023, Adkins guided the Granite Bears to back-to-back 1A championships. He departs Mount Airy with the team holding a 30-game winning streak.

Since assuming control of the Granite Bears’ program in 2018, Adkins has played a key role in guiding the team to a combined record of 68 wins and 10 losses.

Adkins was not only the head coach for Mount Airy and Patton, but also for South Iredell High School and East Wilkes High School at one point. Throughout his career, he has a total head coaching record of 122 wins and 72 losses.

Freedom is a 3A school that competes in the competitive Northwestern 3A/4A Conference with Watauga, Alexander Central, Hibriten, Ashe County, and South Caldwell.

The Patriots are optimistic that Adkins will lead them to the same level of success they achieved in the early 2010s. During that time, the Patriots had an impressive overall record of 66 wins, 12 losses, and 1 tie, which is comparable to Adkins’ record at Mount Airy. Freedom only made it to one regional final during that time, a close 27-20 defeat to Concord in the 2012 3A West championship.

Adkins is replacing Justin Hawn as the new leader. During the 2023 season, the Patriots of Freedom had a total of 3 wins and 7 losses.

Source: highschoolot.com