Taylor County’s Wilson changes mind, stays with Vikings + Taylor Basketball Hire + Signings

In late March, Taylor County was looking for a football head coach after Mark Wilson resigned to return to Bryan County for family reasons. Assistant coach Bob Yevak was soon promoted to head coach at Taylor County.

The move lasted a little less than a month, as Wilson withdrew from the Bryan County position — where he worked before taking over the Vikings — to stay at Taylor County for, well, family reasons.

“My situation changed; my family situation changed,” Wilson said. “I was able to stay here. I’m just thankful the Lord worked that out for us. A lot of great people here in Taylor County.”

Wilson said Yevak opened the door to Wilson’s return after becoming aware of Wilson’s change in situation.

“He wanted me to (return), to be honest with you,” Wilson said. “He was nice enough to ask me to come back. I wouldn’t have done it. Me and Bob’s been together for awhile, 14, 15, 16 years.”

In the process, Taylor County gained another Wilson, the head coach’s son Matt, as defensive coordinator. Matt was at Bacon County and played for his dad at Americus-Sumter.

Wilson is also the Vikings’ baseball head coach. Taylor County’s stellar season ended Wednesday with a series loss to GHSA Class 1A public top seed Schley County.

“Four of our five losses this year were to them,” Wilson said. “In the first game, our No. 1 pitcher lasted an inning-and-a-half and arm trouble. Then our No. 2 pitcher only went an inning-and-a-half. And that’s tough against (Schley).”

The Vikings are 13-9 under Wilson in football and went 10-2 in 2016, their best mark since going 13-1 in 1998. And the bulk of key contributors in 2016 return, including Troy-bound quarterback Gunnar Watson and Power 5 Conference running back prospect Lyn-J Dixon.

There was speculation about Dixon transferring, unrelated to Wilson’s situation, but Dixon is staying put. Wilson said the reaction to his return has been at least as good as it was when he was initially hired.

“They were very understanding,” he said of administration and fans. “They’ve been wonderful, to be honest. Unbelievable. It’s just been wonderful.”

Taylor basketball hire

Taylor County didn’t just get an assistant football coach from Bacon County, but a new boys basketball head coach, as well. The Vikings hired Thad Williams, who has been a basketball and football assistant at Bacon County, to replace Gerald Tranquille.

Williams was an All-Ohio Valley Conference cornerback at Tennessee-Martin.

Signings update

Another member of Macon County’s Class 1A public state title team is headed to college. Outside linebacker/defensive end Trevon Williams has signed with Bacone College, an NAIA program in Oklahoma.

Peach County boys basketball player Jared Johnson will sign next week with Chattahoochee Valley Community College.