Greene County High School has recently named Chris MacFarland as its new head football coach.
MacFarland brings more than 30 years of coaching and educational experience to the program. He’s coached in Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina, building a reputation for developing competitive teams while emphasizing academics and character. His résumé includes roles as head coach, coordinator, athletic director, and multisport coach, with programs he led that reached the playoffs and set historic benchmarks.
“We are excited to welcome Coach MacFarland to Greene County High School,” principal John Ellenberg said in a press release. “His experience at multiple levels, combined with his commitment to academic excellence and character development, makes him an outstanding fit for our football program. He has consistently built disciplined, successful teams, and we look forward to the leadership and stability he will bring to our students and community.”
MacFarland most recently served as special teams coordinator and varsity assistant at Rome High School, where the Wolves have been among Georgia’s most successful programs in recent years. During his tenure, Rome won multiple regional championships and advanced to the semifinals and Elite Eight, including a semifinal appearance.
Individually, MacFarland earned Parker Resources Georgia Class 6A Special Teams Coordinator of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022, followed by Georgia Class 5A Special Teams Coordinator of the Year recognition in 2024.
Before arriving in Georgia, MacFarland led a major turnaround as head coach at Norwalk High School from 2009–17. He guided the program to its first league championship since 1976 and capped the 2014 season with an 11-1 record, including the school’s first-ever 10-0 regular season.
Norwalk also earned its first playoff win since 1974 and posted its first winning season in 35 years under his direction. In 2011, he was named All-Ohio Division II Football Coach of the Year and Northwest District II Coach of the Year.
Beyond the field, MacFarland brings more than three decades of educational experience. He currently teaches inclusion math at the high school level, covering Algebra, Geometry, and College Readiness Math. His academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a mathematics concentration from Heidelberg College, a master’s degree in sports science from Ashland University, and a specialist degree in instructional technology from the University of West Georgia. He also held National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics from 2001-11.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as head football coach at Greene County,” MacFarland said. “I believe in building a program centered on discipline, accountability, and academic success. My goal is to develop young men of strong character who represent their school and community with pride while competing at a championship level.”
Greene County officials said they are eager to begin a new chapter of Tiger football under MacFarland’s leadership.