Grady McCluskey is the new head football coach at FranklinCounty. McCluskey, 35, replaces Anthony Hart, who has taken asimilar position at Lafayette County High School in Oxford.

Since 2002, McCluskey has been at Franklin County as offensivecoordinator under Hart. He also was in charge of strength andconditioning. The Bulldogs finished 12-2 last season, runners-up toSouth State 3A champion West Lauderdale.

“I think this is a great opportunity for me to step in,” saidMcCluskey. “Coach Hart and Coach (Michael) Goff have done a greatjob with the program here.

“This is a great place to work.,” McCluskey continued. “The kidsand the community are outstanding. There is a lot of support fromour administration.

“We have good assistant coaches here,” said McCluskey. “We wantto continue the high level of success that Franklin County hasenjoyed on the football field.”

McCluskey coached at Walker High School in Jasper, Ala., from1995-2000. In 2001, he was at West Point as offensivecoordinator.

McCluskey and his wife,Paula, have a 2-year-old son,Nicholas.

A 1988 graduate of West Point High School, McCluskey attendedcollege at the University of New Orleans where he majored in mathand secondary education. He played football at East MississippiCommunity College, working as a quarterback.

McCluskey teaches math at Franklin County.

“I think Grady is a very good choice for head coach,” said Hart.”I have known him for nearly 20 years. “He’s a close friend and anoutstanding coach. I think he will do a really good job at FranklinCounty.”

McCluskey said he was looking forward to spring practice whichwill begin in late April.

“We have a good nucleus of kids returning,” said McCluskey. TheBulldogs return eight starters on defense.

The Bulldogs are enjoying the new weight training room which hasbeen completed. Their first game is August 28, hosting theBrookhaven Panthers.

McCluskey said that longtime offensive line coach RaymondBuffington is retiring. “We want to advertise the coachingvacancies and see what happens.”

Looking ahead, Franklin County will host the Cellular SouthSpring Football Jamboree on Thursday, May 12.