Hayesville Announces New Coach

HHS principal Stacey Overlin announces Hayesville's newwest coach.

For any school, announcing a new coach is big deal. For Hayesville, announcing the replacement for Chad McClure, who coached for 17 years, is a really big deal. Hayesville High principal Stacy Overlin eased Tsome anxiety on Monday, April 7th when he announced a familiar face as the new head coach of the Lady Yellow Jacket varsity basketball team. Hayesville lifer Tammy Dills will lead the team starting in the 2025-26 season.

Dills went to school at Hayesville, played on those legendary state championship teams and has taught and coached at Hayesville Middle School for 25 years along with being a staple for the HHS volleyball program. As the announcement was made, Dills could not contain her smile.

"This is a very big day for me," Dills said. "I've been here all my life, I love Hayesville and bleed black and gold." When asked about following two legendary coaches, Dills said, "There's always pressure. Coach Darryl McClure was my coach, so following in his footsteps is pressure, just like I'm sure Chad felt that pressure when he took over.

"We want to see this program to be successful," Dills said when asked about expectations. "That means on and off the floor. We want to be back to playing for championships."

Dills is a firm believer that the success of the varsity program starts with the youth basketball program. Dills has also been crucial to that program for years.

New coach Tammy Dills is all smiles as she's surrounded my members of the Lady Jacket basketball team.

As for the team she inherits, Dills knows what to expect as she has coached the majority of the payers in youth league or middle school. "I think it's a good thing. I know their strengths and weaknesses." The new coach admitted there will be adjustments she will have to make as a high school coach, saying, "The pace of the game is faster and instead of preparing for maybe one or two players, now you have to be prepared for all of the starters plus the bench."

Athletic Director Michael Cottrell feels like Hayesville has a head start by naming Dills to the role. "With Chad staying on in his teaching position and as the head football coach, we knew that the in-house candidates would be our direction and Tammy knows the girls, she's coached them, she knows how we do things here in the athletic department, so she's already way ahead."

Coach Dills knows there is a lot of work ahead, but is excited about the upcoming season and has goals. "Obviously Cherokee will be the team to beat, but do I see us upsetting some people? Absolutely!" Dills ended her comments wither a personal goal, saying, "Hopefully we end the season over .500. I've never had a season where we finished under .500."

Time will tell the results, but for now, the excitement in the program is encouraging for the season ahead.