Morgan County’s dominant 8-0 win over Westside on March 25 was a special one for head soccer coach Aaron Paul.
The victory marked Paul’s 100th career win during his 11th season of coaching the Dogs, who also secured their fifth-consecutive region championship two days later with a 5-0 triumph over Callaway.
Paul told the Lake Oconee News he was honored to reach such an achievement.
“They’ve all been here at Morgan County,” Paul said. “I never thought I would get here, to be honest with you, for a whole host of reasons, but it’s been, knock on wood, it’s all been here, and I feel like this is home for me.”
Paul was hired to be the new boys’ soccer coach at Morgan County in the summer of 2014. He admitted in his interview that he wanted to win, especially region games, and that’s what he has accomplished over his 11 years.
“I remember when I interviewed, I said that we’ve got to focus on winning our region games,” Paul explained. “Well, I don’t like to toot my own horn, but I’ve won 81% of the region games so far in my career.”
Paul has built an impressive resume. Throughout his tenure, Paul has led the Dogs to six region championships and numerous deep postseason runs.
Paul has also coached several Region Players of the Year, including guys like Trace Blanton, who won it twice, Luis Tenorio, and Cooper Allen. Current seniors Teddy Young and Blake Downs shared the award last year.
“I’ve coached some great players while I’ve been here, and I couldn’t have done it without them,” Paul said.
Cooper, who graduated in 2022, was proud of his former coach for winning his 100th career game.
“Coach Paul was undoubtedly one of the most memorable parts of my high school experience. The guidance he provided both on and off the field always managed to reflect elements of carefulness alongside a lighthearted humor,” Cooper said. “I am so grateful for his patience as a coach and mentor throughout all of our many tumultuous teenage emotions. Coach Paul truly makes Morgan County High School a better place.”
Paul and his wife, Emily, have settled in Morgan County, and they have two daughters. Emily was previously an athletic trainer at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, but is now a teacher at Morgan County.
Paul, a Jefferson native, appreciates all the support he’s gotten from the Morgan County administration, athletic directors, and parents. Paul loves the community in Madison and can’t imagine himself anywhere else.
“I just feel blessed. Our facilities, our kids, our support, our parent support, our admin support, are great,” Paul said. “For somebody who wants to coach high school soccer, Morgan County is like a destination job.”