Milan High School has made their decision concerning the replacement for retired football coach John Dabney, staying in-house to elevate former Gallatin, Savannah, and Maysville head coach Mark Cole to head coach of the Wildcats. Dabney announced his decision to retire as head coach at Milan in May, citing health concerns and the wish to spend more time with family as reasons for his decision.
Cole was the most established option from the Milan sideline, serving as defensive coordinator for the Wildcats in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, after 16 years as a head coach, starting at Gallatin in the early to mid 2000s before a move to Savannah. Cole returned to his alma mater, Maysville High School, in the early 2010s, before leaving that position after the 2019 season.
Cole on the sidelines at Milan High School will add another different, yet familiar look to the 11-man division of the Grand River Conference this fall, with former Princeton, Maryville, and Lathrop head coach Chris Holt returning to the GRC to lead the Gallatin Bulldog program into 2022, replacing Patrick Treece, while Putnam County hired former Marshall head coach Adam Huse in mid-February, replacing Clyde Bondy.
