"We think that when something is named after someone, we are doing them a favor. In actuality, Coach Dorsey is doing us a favor," said McEachern Principal Regina Montgomery during her opening remarks at a recent event. "We want to thank Coach Dorsey for allowing us to have his name on a piece of property here at McEachern High School."
The piece of property is the playing field at Walter H. Cantrell Stadium, and the recent event was the official naming of the field "Dorsey Field." Coach Jimmy Dorsey was joined by family members, administrators, Board members, and around 150 friends, former players, and other Georgia football legends to celebrate the historic moment and Coach Dorsey's legacy on and off the field.
After beginning his teaching and coaching career at Pebblebrook, Sprayberry, and Paulding, Coach Dorsey came to McEachern in 1984 and stayed for 35 years. His overall record during his coaching career was 236-79-1, and his teams won 12 region titles. He received many honors and awards at both the high school and the state levels. He was a three-time MDJ Coach of the Year (1986, 1989, 1998), NFL High School Football Coach of the Year (1994), two-time Regional Athletic Director of the Year (2007, 2011), Cobb County Winningest Football Coach (2008), Georgia Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2017), and much more. He even had a day named after him in Powder Springs, "Coach Jimmy Dorsey Day," in 2004.
Suffice to say, Coach Dorsey is a legend at McEachern High School and the state of Georgia as both a coach, administrator, and mentor. At the naming event, more than 20 attendees took the microphone to express their appreciation of Coach Dorsey and what he meant to them personally.
Former Brookwood coach Dave Hunter—and namesake of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic—spoke about meeting Coach Dorsey in the Corky Kell Classic in 1992 and being friends ever since. "I couldn't imagine anything at McEachern not carrying his name. He's a true, true champion in the world of high school football," Coach Hunter said.
Post 7 (which includes McEachern) Board Member Brad Wheeler mentioned seeing both sides of Coach Dorsey, both as an opponent when Wheeler coached at Pebblebrook and then as an ally when he also transferred to McEachern. "I got to see this man and his staff and how he ran a program. Everything he touched was first-class, especially his character. Coach Dorsey is the kind of person you want leading your children. I so appreciate the opportunity to work with him; it was very special," Wheeler said to applause.
Current McEachern Athletic Director Myra Camese has known Coach Dorsey since 2011 and cherishes the time spent working with him. "What stands out the most is how he touched the lives of everyone around him, all of us who are here. This field will be more than a place to play; it will be a testament to the values he has upheld. We wear shirts to this day that say 'The Standard is the Standard' because that's what he instilled in me as a young coach. By naming this field after Coach, we are forever associating these qualities with the person who exemplifies them in every way," AD Camese said with admiration.
Coach Dorsey's son, Andy, thanked his dad for being his hero and modeling everything he taught to his students at home. "My father's purpose through the game of football was changing people's lives. He got up every single day with purpose and instilled in us as players and in me as a son that second place was not an option. You always work as hard as you can, and I continue to live by that every single day of my life," he said with pride for his father, coach, and role model.
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale remembered Coach Dorsey from when he was a student at Paulding County. "We always hated coming to McEachern because of Coach Dorsey, as everybody else did," he said to knowing laughs. "In reality, you helped make Cobb County, not just McEachern. Our mission statement of 'One Team' was epitomized by you. You were never my coach, but you'll always be Coach Dorsey to me and so many others. I greatly appreciate what you have done for McEachern and Cobb County. You have set the standard here and left a lasting impression."
Many others said similar things about Coach and how he affected their lives. Time did not permit, but probably every person in the C. Terry Pendley Alumni Center could have given a testimony about him. Thanks to the naming of Dorsey Field, his long career and influence will never be forgotten. Future generations will know the "lasting impression" of Coach Jimmy Dorsey on McEachern High School and Cobb County.
