A familiar face is officially stepping into the top job at DeKalb County High School. Michael Shaw, a longtime assistant and former Tiger himself, accepted the role of head football coach on Tuesday, marking a new era for a program he has helped build for more than a decade.
Shaw has served DeKalb County in nearly every capacity: As a player, assistant coach, defensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and teacher. Now, Shaw finally gets the title he has quietly chased since his coaching career began.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be a head coach ever since I started,” Shaw said. “It’s definitely something I look forward to doing, and I can’t wait to take hold once all the newness wears off and everything so it’s definitely a blessing for sure.”
Shaw first joined the DeKalb staff in 2010 and accepted the defensive coordinator position in 2011, a role he held for multiple seasons. Shaw said he credits former head coach Steve Trapp, who recently stepped down after leading the program for 21 years, with laying the foundation for the coach he has become.
“I owe a lot to him,” Shaw said. “Just showing how to win and how to work, you may not have the best team but one thing you can always do is work really hard and he’s really instilled me and I try really hard to keep that going.”
Shaw’s connection to the program stretches back even further than his coaching tenure. Shaw played for DeKalb County from 1996 to 1999 before moving on to Cumberland University, where he spent four years as a wide receiver. Shaw said that deep-rooted familiarity is part of why the job feels so meaningful.
One of Shaw’s first decisions as head coach is to maintain continuity. Shaw said most of the current coaching staff will remain in place heading into the offseason.
“I’m really excited about the guys that are on the team and some of the guys that have reached out saying they would like to join and play,” Shaw said. “It’s just been an exciting time.”
Shortly after Tuesday morning’s press conference, Shaw said he addressed his players for the first time as head coach. He said the energy in the room reflected both excitement and commitment, a tone Shaw said hopes defines the Tigers’ offseason.
