Tullahoma's John Olive named 2021 Titans High School Coach of the Year

John Olive's December just keeps getting better.

Two weeks after leading Tullahoma to an undefeated season and its first state championship with a double-overtime win over Elizabethton, Olive was named the 2021 Titans High School Coach of the Year. 

"John Olive is Tullahoma High School and the community of Tullahoma,” Tullahoma principal Jason Quick said in a release. “I’ve never met a person who has served a community and high school program with more integrity and character than John Olive. It is evident in our school, not just with the football team, but also throughout all of our school. Whether you are an athlete or not, John has had an impact on you in some form or fashion.”

A day after leading the Wildcats to their first state championship, Olive retired after 29 years at the helm. He went 203-126 during his tenure but will remain at the school as its athletic director.

As the 2021 Titans Coach of the Year, Olive will receive a grant in the amount of $3,500 from the Tennessee Titans Foundation and a $1,000 grant from the NFL Foundation, to benefit Tullahoma's football program.

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He will also receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas.

His selection also qualifies him for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award, honoring high school football coaches that display the integrity, achievement and leadership exemplified by the coach with the most wins in NFL history, Don Shula.

That award will be announced in January where the winner receives $12,500 and the football program is awarded $17,500. A second finalist will receive $7,500 and their  program will receive $12,500.

Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears