New Allatoona Football Coach Landed 'Ideal' Job 6 Years Ago

Paul Carter, who was Dacula's defensive coordinator in 2020, takes over as head coach at Allatoona after boosting his resume at Carrollton.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Paul Carter, a Nevada native now working in Georgia, was Dacula's defensive coordinator in 2020 when he first visited Allatoona during the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Allatoona, a Cobb County school, won that game 31-6 against Dacula, which was also a top-10 ranked team at the time. After boosting his resume as the head coach at Carrollton, Carter has now landed the head coaching job at Allatoona, a position he had admired since that playoff visit six years ago.

Why it matters

Allatoona has been one of the top high school football programs in Georgia in recent years, making this a high-profile coaching job. Carter's background as a defensive coordinator and then head coach at another successful program suggests he has the experience to continue Allatoona's winning tradition.

The details

Carter, a Nevada native, was Dacula's defensive coordinator in 2020 when he first visited Allatoona during the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Allatoona, a Cobb County school, won that game 31-6 against Dacula, which was also a top-10 ranked team at the time. After that game, Carter knew Allatoona would be an "ideal" job for him. He has since boosted his resume as the head coach at Carrollton before landing the head coaching position at Allatoona.

  • In 2020, Carter was the defensive coordinator at Dacula High School.
  • In 2020, Allatoona defeated Dacula 31-6 in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
  • Carter has now been named the new head football coach at Allatoona.

The players

Paul Carter

A Nevada native who is now the new head football coach at Allatoona High School in Cobb County, Georgia. He previously served as the defensive coordinator at Dacula High School and the head coach at Carrollton High School.

Allatoona High School

A high school located in Cobb County, Georgia that has been one of the top football programs in the state in recent years.

Dacula High School

A high school in Georgia that was also a top-10 ranked team when they faced off against Allatoona in the 2020 Class 6A playoffs.

Carrollton High School

The high school where Paul Carter served as the head football coach before taking the job at Allatoona.

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The takeaway

Paul Carter's path to becoming the new head football coach at Allatoona High School shows how a strong defensive coaching background and successful head coaching experience at another program can lead to landing a high-profile job at a top football program like Allatoona.