The Cobb Schools’ Athletic Department has selected the latest Coach of the Month (COM) winners. The COM award highlights a female and a male coach doing exceptional work in the District. 

In conjunction with the Atlanta Braves and Good Game Atlanta, the winners receive a complimentary one-night stay at Aloft Atlanta at the Battery and dinner from Good Game Atlanta. 

“This is a small token of our appreciation for their efforts both on and off the court,” said Cobb’s Director of Athletics, Don Baker. “Coaches teach a full day, and their days are only half-over when the bell rings at 3:30. They continue to work with our student-athletes for hours each week, often at the expense of their own spouses and children. We believe we have the best coaches in the state and want to celebrate them as much as possible!”

The January winners are coaches from Allatoona and Pebblebrook. Chad Phillips is the head basketball coach for the Bucs, and Jaquile Miller coaches multiple sports for the Falcons.

Chad Phillips, Basketball, Allatoona

He took Allatoona back to the state tournament for the first time in five years, but more than that, Coach Phillips cares for his players and students like they are his own. He has five children, but he makes time to write personalized notes to each player before a game, send texts of encouragement and good luck before the ACT or SAT, and even call parents to let them know when their son has a bad day. Coach Phillips was also voted as Allatoona’s Teacher of the Year.

As an example of his dedication to students, he recently helped a player in the JV program who lost his mother to a heart attack. Coach arranged for the entire basketball program to help this family with food and funeral expenses. The team loved on their teammate through messages and notes, inviting him to family functions and arranging for the whole team to attend the funeral in support. 

“We asked him if he would be interested in teaching PE, but he said he wanted to keep teaching Math because he thinks he can influence more students in a positive manner teaching there,” said Allatoona AD Amie Howard. “Coach Phillips shows up for kids. He shows up for Allatoona, and he shows up for his colleagues.”

Jaquile Miller, Multiple Sports, Pebblebrook

An assistant coach for flag football, wrestling, and soccer, Coach Miller is involved in a little bit of everything at Pebblebrook. At the beginning of the school year, she missed some time for health concerns, but even as she was recovering, she still attended many away games to show the students that she cared for and supported them. 

“Coach Miller has been a blessing to our entire athletics department,” said Pebblebrook AD Robert Figueroa. “She even got her CDL to support athletics for travel. She truly has a heart and passion for our students and community. Each program that she assists is better because of her.”

Congratulations, Coaches Phillips and Miller! Great job also supporting these exceptional staff members, Allatoona and Pebblebrook! All of you are helping students understand the role of sports in education and, more importantly, in becoming a better person all-around. Well done!