The Fannin County High School Rebels football team has hired a new head coach, Jim Pavao, former defensive coordinator at Gainesville High School. Coach Pavao held a meet and greet on Friday to tell of his history and what he looks forward to bringing to Fannin County High.Pavao began his coaching career in the collegiate ranks at Norwich University in 1981, as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line. A year later he coached the defensive line at Davidson College, where he coached two All Conference players during his two year stint. Pavao spent the next two years coaching the same position at Princeton University where he had two players named All Ivy League.

Pavao then spent 16 years as the defensive coordinator at Maryville College, where he was responsible for a plethora of top ranked Division III scoring defenses. 2001 saw the beginning of his six year stint at Burke County, where he produced four of the top six defenses in school history, including 10 shutouts from 2004-2006. During his 25 year coaching career, Pavao has been predominately a 3-4 coach.

This will be Coach Pavao’s first career head coaching position. Below is a video of a Q&A session that was held during the Meet and Greet. Watch to see the Coach’s plans for the team.