GUYTON, Ga. – Young and fearless, Carson McClellan hasn’t been overwhelmed by any task at South Effingham.
Now, as the Mustangs’ new defensive coordinator, he’ll be asked to overhaul a unit that surrendered 46 points per game last season.
“There’s a lot of potential in our defense to be really good, and it’s about coaching them and getting them in the right position,” said McClellan, who is implementing a 4-2-5 alignment designed to get more players around the ball.
McClellan, 25, hasn’t coached at the high school level but gained extensive on-the-job training at Georgia Southern University.
College experience built a foundation
He started as a student assistant and worked with tight ends coach Joe Graves — now with the San Francisco 49ers — on coach Chad Lunsford’s staff.
When Lunsford and his staff were fired, McClellan remained with the program under new coach Clay Helton, first working with Will Harris, now safeties coach at the University of Miami.
After graduating, McClellan stayed on as a defensive analyst, working with former Eagle standout Darius Eubanks, now a linebackers coach at Georgia Tech.
Last season, he continued learning under Georgia Southern defensive coordinator Brandon Bailey.
“From an early age, I think Carson knew he wanted to coach,” Helton said at a 7-on-7 high school football tournament held at Georgia Southern last Friday. “He impressed me with his work ethic and his thirst for knowledge. I knew he’d be on someone’s staff soon.”
Ready to lead South Effingham
South Effingham had openings for a teacher and a coach. Head coach Loren Purvis initially hired McClellan to coach defensive backs but quickly realized he could take on a larger role.
“He’s a younger guy and gets after it,” Purvis said. “Just the maturity he showed in how he worked, it was easy to ask him, ‘Can you handle this? Can you get this done?’ I’ve been impressed, and it worked out for him to be the defensive coordinator.”
It’s a big job, but McClellan — who looks like he can handle himself around a blocking sled — is ready to lead. His coaching journey began during his playing days at Vidalia High School under coach Lee Chomskis, now at Lincoln County.
“A lot of [improving SEHS’ defense] has to do with effort,” McClellan said. “When their effort is good, they can be really good, but if their effort and energy are down, they’re not as good as they can be. It’s about maintaining an even keel every day.”
McClellan said he isn’t concerned about coaching players only a few years younger.
“With kids these days, if you’re fake, they’ll see right through you,” he said. “Be real with them and coach them hard. If they know you know what you’re talking about, they’ll have respect for you. I feel like I’m well-prepared for it.”
