Area Jefferson’s restaurants honor their local Coaches of the Year

Jefferson’s is pleased to announce their Coaches of the Year for the Atlanta metro area. Each Jefferson’s location in the Atlanta metro has Recognized a winner:

• Carrollton: Chris Smith, Central High School Lady Lions volleyball, coaching for 26 years
• Cartersville: Vincent Mitchell, Cartersville High School JV boys’ basketball, coaching for eight years
• Cedartown: Mike Worthington, Cedartown High School football, and strength training for 20 years
• Rockmart: Joshua Kiker, Rockmart Middle School boys’ basketball, coaching for 12 years
• Villa Rica: Jayme Dawson, West Georgia Storm girls’ fastpitch softball, coaching for six years

Each coach was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by athletes and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Coach’s Day on Oct. 6, aims to recognize a few of the many deserving coaches in the Atlanta area. Jefferson’s selected Smith, Mitchell, Kiker, and Dawson as the Coaches of the Year for their empathy and positive, whole-person coaching styles.

“Coach Smith, Mitchell, Kiker, Worthington and Dawson are so much more than just coaches,” said Jefferson’s President Brandon Graham. “Their nominators made that very clear. These coaches’ doors are always open to their players. If an athlete needs help with athletic fees, or a ride to work, or emotional support, these coaches step in to help however they can. These extraordinary coaches are safety nets for their players, and have given so much to their teams over the years. We’re honored to recognize them.”

Each coach will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s. Their achievements will also be commemorated with a “Jefferson’s Coach of the Year” plaque for all restaurant patrons to see.

Last year was the launch of the Coach of the Year program. Jefferson’s recognized Umbrah Brown (Carrollton), Conor Foster (Cartersville), Kina Teaford (Cedartown), Angela Kiker (Rockmart), and Will Mua’au (Villa Rica) as the Coaches of the Year for their neighborhoods.

The Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award was open to coaches of any sport working with athletes of any age. Coaches could be nominated by athletes, parents and guardians of athletes, school officials, or other community members.