CARROLLTON, GA - A former Trojan is coming home older, wiser, and ready to give back to the place that gave so much to him.

Zach Gordon will be leading the varsity boys lacrosse team next spring, bringing with him several years of coaching experience that began while he was still in college and then continued at the high school level before returning to his old stomping grounds.

 Newly-appointed CHS Principal Ian Lyle said the Trojans are lucky to have Gordon as a teacher and coach.

“CHS is very fortunate that Coach Zach Gordon has joined the school as a teacher and to lead our varsity boys lacrosse program,” said Lyle. “He has a proven record of building meaningful relationships with kids as a coach and as a teacher. As a former Trojan, he also has a deep knowledge of the school culture. We are very excited about everything he will accomplish.”

 After high school, the CHS graduate went on to North Carolina’s Wake Forest University on a football scholarship. After suffering a spinal cord injury that forced him to retire from the game of football in 2014, the door opened for Gordon to begin coaching earlier than he had planned.

“My coaches at Wake Forest wanted me to be involved with the team even though I wasn’t going to be playing anymore,” he said. “They gave me an opportunity most people don’t get to have at that age.”

Gordon said his injury greatly impacted his coaching style.

“Because of my experiences, my style has been centered on three pillars: Passion, Positivity and Purpose. These three anchors of my philosophy allow me to be excited to coach every day, seek the positive no matter the circumstances, and strive to be purpose driven in all I do. ”

After graduating from Wake Forest, Gordon went on to the University of Alabama where he received his Masters Degree in Special Education. 

“During the recovery process after I was hurt, my eyes were opened to the field of special education. I understand the challenges and obstacles that present themselves when you have an impairment of some type,” he said. “I continually feel called to pursue the field of special education as I strive to help students reach their full potential.”

Paul Fitz-Simons, CHS athletic director, said he is looking forward to Gordon’s homecoming.

 “Coach Gordon understands what it means to be a Trojan because he is one,” Fitz-Simons said. “He values the traditions here and I am confident he will do great things for our lacrosse program. I am so glad he is back.”

 Gordon is married to his high school sweetheart Katey and they have a golden retriever named Blue.

“Being part of the Trojan Nation is not something we take lightly and we are excited to put on the black and gold again and invest in this community,” said Gordon. “I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes on the lacrosse team and pushing them to be the best they can be on and off the field. Sport is such a great teacher of life, and the opportunity that I have been provided to serve as the head coach is one that I am grateful for.”