John Thompson, Varsity Head Coach, Football // College Athletic Recruiting Coordinator
Years in teaching/coaching: Enters 2023-24 school year with 35 years experience. He was named the sixth head varsity football coach in Fellowship history on Jan. 13, 2023. Served as FCS defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Tim McFarlin for 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Family: Thompson and his wife Charleen, have two sons: Cabe and Hays.
Career awards, accomplishment, highlights: A veteran coach with over 30 years of experience at the collegiate level, Thompson will serve dual roles as both defensive coordinator for the school's varsity football team and College Athletic Recruiting Coordinator for all Paladin athletes. Highly regarded among the football community as a top defensive mind, Thompson has served as defensive coordinator or co-coordinator at several SEC schools, including Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina and LSU.
Throughout his coaching career, he successfully graduated more than 40 of his defensive players from the collegiate level to the NFL.
In addition to his duties as head coach, Thompson will pull from his vast experience and connections at the collegiate level in his role as the College Athletic Recruiting Coordinator. In addition to his interest in helping Paladin athletes pursue sports beyond high school, he's thankful for the opportunity to influence their faith.

Jake Robertson, Defensive Coordinator // Defensive Backs, Varsity Football
Years in teaching coaching: Enters 2023-24 with nine years in coaching, including seven at FCS.
Alma Mater: Bachelor of Arts in Educational Service, Birmingham Southern College, 2013. Working towards Masters of Arts in Teaching (Special Education), Kennesaw State.
Family: Married to Alexandra Robertson.
Career awards, accomplishments and highlights: Leads FCS' strength training and sports performance program. Serves as head staff coach for boys varsity lacrosse team. Spent three years as graduate assistant coach in college. Named to All conference Defensive Team at Birmingham Southern in 2011 and 2012. Played on BSC's Conference Championship team in 2012. Was part of Reinhardt University's All Conference coaching staff in 2013.
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Mike Haynes, Varsity Football, Receivers Coach // Varsity Track & Field, Head Coach
Years in teaching coaching: Enters 2023-24 with 25 years in coaching and training athletes, including two at FCS.
Alma Mater: Northern Arizona University, 1988.
Church Attended: Eagles Nest Church
Family: He and his wife Cookie Haynes (26 years) have two daughters, Logan and Maurgan, and one son, Evan.
Career awards, accomplishments and highlights: Played wide receiver for 10 seasons in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Was a two-sport athlete in college (football and track & field). Qualified for the 1988 US Track & Field Olympic Trials in Eugene Ore. Drafted in the seventh round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1988.
Coaching Philosophy: I want to help our athletes reach their full potential on and off the track and football field. One of my favorite quotes is ‘A good coach can help you become a good player, a great coach can help you become a good person.’ I want to be a great coach.
Assistant Coaches
Jim Broadway (Special Teams), Kenny Cook (Wide Receivers), Tommy Gilstrap (Linebackers), Mike Haynes (Offensive Wide Receivers), Chase Harof (scout team), Brian Hickman (Quarterbacks) Roy Hickman (Offensive Coordinator), Chris Kammerer, Zach Mitchler (Offensive Line), Tracy Morgan (Speed), John O’Hara (Running Backs / Strength Coach), Jamel Ransbey (Defensive Line), Brad Slaten (Offensive Tight Ends), Marcus Smith (Quarterbacks / Quality Control).
Ron Haigler, JV Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator, JV Football
JV Assistant Coaches
PJ Beidel (Offensive Receivers), Billy Bradach (Offensive Running Backs / Linebackers), Todd Cochran (Defensive Front / Tight Ends) and Jamar Kent (Defensive Secondary).
Will Haigler, Eighth Grade Head Coach, Football
Assistant Coaches, Eighth Grade: Sam Herman and Alan Holman.
Jason Clark, Seventh Grade Head Coach, Football
Assistant Coaches, Seventh Grade: Jett Johnson, Ryan Lea, Greg Mayhue and Zac Stafford
Pat Thompson, Sixth Grade Head Coach, Football
Assistant Coaches, Sixth Grade: Jon Geller, Joel Hazzard, Rob Murfree, Jordan Musselman, Tom Olson, Rob Sobolewski, William Williams III
Updated Oct. 19, 2023
No coaches were found for this team.