Photo By Michael Alexander

Coach Tim McFarlin is no stranger to North Fulton County football. McFarlin was Roswell High School’s head coach for 10 seasons, but he retired after the 2007 season with a career record of 82-34-1.

His retirement was short lived because he returned as an assistant coach with King’s Ridge Christian School, Alpharetta, in 2009 and last season he was the quarterback coach at Roswell High School.

Coach McFarlin, 53, has been married to his wife, Kay, for 29 years. They have two children, Courtney, a third-year elementary teacher in Alpharetta, and Will, a senior at Roswell High School. They attend Birmingham United Methodist Church, Milton.

As the new head football coach at Blessed Trinity High School, McFarlin succeeds Ricky Turner, who held the role of head football coach and athletic director for 10 seasons. Turner will now concentrate full time on his athletic director duties.

“It is great to be able to hire someone from the local community that has 30 years of football knowledge to continue to make Blessed Trinity football a successful program,” said Turner.

Coach McFarlin brings 30 years of coaching experience and a career record of 82-34-1 to the program. Photo By Michael Alexander

The new head coach has been busy preparing the team for the 2011 season, but he took 10 questions from The Georgia Bulletin during a recent Q&A.

GB: You haven’t been a head coach since the 2007 season. What has your return to head coaching been like and did working as an assistant coach the previous two seasons make it easier?

McFarlin: I knew I was ready to return to head coaching about a year ago. Coming back to Roswell last season as an assistant helped to confirm that.

GB: Blessed Trinity’s football team has posted a winning or .500 record for the last six seasons. Based on your early assessment of this year’s roster and players, what should we expect?

McFarlin: We want to create an expectation of reaching and winning in the playoffs every year.

GB: What is your coaching philosophy and approach to the game?

McFarlin: I believe you get more out of the kids by “inspiration” rather than “intimidation.”

GB: Where did you grow up and what is the city or town known for?

McFarlin: I grew up in Crabapple, Georgia. My father was the pastor of the local Baptist church.

GB: Who is your favorite professional team when it comes to football and any other sport of your choice?

McFarlin: I’m a hometown guy. I like the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves.

GB: Who are your favorite professional football players?

McFarlin: Safeties Jermaine Phillips (Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League) and Chris Reis (Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints) because they both played for me at Roswell High School.

GB: Are there any coaches (on any level) you admire or look up to?

McFarlin: Bobby Cox.

GB: What is your favorite sports movie?

McFarlin: “Remember the Titans.”

GB: What type of music do you like and who is one of your favorite artists?

McFarlin: Christian music. Third Day.

GB: ABC-TV’s Dancing With the Stars has invited a number of former and current football players to participate on their show, but they have yet to invite a coach. If you were invited, what would we expect to see?

McFarlin: A wreck.