CAIRO – Cairo’s search for a new football coach led the Syrupmakers back to the man who served as the interim in 2022.

David Coleman will lead the Syrupmakers into the 2023 season, announced the Grady County School District on its Facebook page.

“The Grady County Board of Education on the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Eric McFee approved hiring David Coleman as the head coach of the Cairo Syrupmakers,” the announcement read.

Coleman took over the program on an interim basis late last spring following the retirement of Steve DeVoursney. Cairo finished 8-4, second in Region 1-4A and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.

“It’s been a process. The process was to be assured that we have the best people in place. We had some really good candidates. I think everybody was impressed with the applicants and especially with the guys that interviewed,” Cairo athletic director Chad Parkerson said. “I think what David told the kids back when it got opened up in the fall after the season pretty much sums it up. He was given an opportunity in June. He wanted to go earn the position, and he did that.

“He’s a high-character, hard-working guy. Everybody worth their salt understands there’s always room to get better. This is the people business, and that’s why we got into this business, to help people get better. Administrators want to help teachers and coaches to get better. Teachers and coaches want to help kids get better, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Coleman graduated from Cairo High in 2006 and coached for 10 years with the Syrupmakers as an assistant; the first three as an offensive assistant and the last seven on the defensive side of the ball.

Coleman is the team’s third head coach since 2003.