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By David Walsh

Darrin Joines missed coaching, so he changed jobs.

The Williamson County Schools athletic director announced his resignation after six years on Friday to become Franklin Christian Academy’s head boys basketball coach and associate athletic director.

“I want that daily interaction with young people,” Joines said. “I think I’m just born to work with young people.”

Darrin Joines

Darrin Joines

FCA also promoted 27-year-old offensive coordinator KC Jorgensen to head football coach, replacing veteran Tim Johnson. Jorgensen will also be the school's athletic director.

The Falcons will move into the TSSAA next season after previously competing in the Tennessee State Independent Athletic Association.

“There will be some growing pains, I’m sure,” Joines said. “You look at our league, it’s pretty good — two state finalists from our district, BGA and Providence Christian.”

He will inherit a team that went 19-7 last season.

Joines, 54, became Williamson County’s second AD in 2019, succeeding his close friend, Jeremy Qualls.

During Joines’ reign, Williamson County added girls flag football, the WillCo football combine-style workout and middle school bowling.

Williamson County boasts some of the state’s best overall athletic programs.

“The best,” Joines said. “You’re talking about public schools, there’s nobody close. There’s really none.”

Joines went 71-24 in three seasons at Franklin before becoming AD. He led Franklin to its first state tournament appearance in 30 years in 2019.

Joines went 308-198 in 16 seasons at Beech, including two state tournament appearances, before arriving at Franklin.

Joines said “there is a good chance” he will run the 1-3-1 zone defense that he’s used for most of his career at FCA, which lies off Mack Hatcher Parkway.

Franklin and Beech both have enrollments over 1,480, but FCA’s is much smaller at 195.

“It’ll definitely be a little different, but we met with the team today and the basketball numbers here are actually pretty good in terms of the interest,” Joines said. “Regardless of how big the school is, there’s only so many people you can put out there — five at a time.”

Multi-sport athletes are encouraged at smaller schools like FCA due to the need for athletes.

FCA will be Joines’ first Division II team after coaching at Division I Franklin and Beech.