Schools

Campbell Fires Former Wheeler Football Standout

Third-year coach Harris Rainbow reportedly 'shocked' at school's decision to relieve him of his coaching duties after Spartans were coming off their best season since 2007.

For what will be the sixth time in the last decade, Campbell High School is looking for a new head football coach.

On Monday, head coach Harris Rainbow was relieved of his coaching duties according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The 35-year-old coach told the Atlanta news outlet that he was shocked when Campbell Principal Dr. Denise Magee informed him of the news this week.

"I think everyone is shocked, the entire community, the kids and me most of all,’’ Rainbow told the AJC. “This is out of the blue. The only thing she gave me was she wanted to go in a different direction. It’s just a very suspicious decision.’’

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Rainbow said Magee asked him to resign from his teaching position, but he refused such and plans to be at the Smyrna school for the 2014-15 school year.

Rainbow grew up in East Cobb and was an all-county offensive lineman at Wheeler (Class of 1996) before walking on at the University of Georgia.

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Rainbow had 14 years of coaching experience and had enjoyed previous success in taking over struggling programs and turning them into winners when he was hired to head the Spartans' program in 2011. Campbell had gone 1-9 and 2-8 in the seasons prior to his arrival and discipline had been an issue with suspensions and dismissals.

When he was hired, Rainbow told Smyrna-Vinings Patch, “To me, Campbell High School is a traditional Cobb County power and it needs to be returned to its rightful place as one. My entire family lives five to 10 minutes from Campbell High School, so this is home to us.’’

Campbell went 4-6 last year, it’s best mark since 2007 and its 290 points scored was a school record. Rainbow’s mark in three seasons at Campbell was 8-22.

The school has only five winning seasons in the last 25 years.

Campbell joins South Cobb and Walker high schools in the county searching for a new head football coach for the 2014 season.



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