Austin Crisp Set to Lead New Era of Ringgold Football

When Ringgold hits the field this fall, they’ll be without the winningest coach in Tigers history.
Robert Akins stepped down after last year, and now Austin Crisp takes the Ringgold reigns.
The Tigers roar into our 30-in-30 spotlight.

Austin Crisp may be Ringgold’s new head coach, but he has been on the Tigers staff for six seasons, so it feels business as usual.
Said quarterback Garrett Edgar:”I’ve had him ever since I’ve been here, so I feel like it’s not a huge transition. I mean he’s motivated. He’s doing a lot here at Ringgold”
Said Crisp:”Luckily we retained most of the staff. Players seem to have bought in to what we’re trying to accomplish right now. It’s been a really smooth and easy transition.”
So what’s coach’s outlook for the season?
Said Crisp:”We’ve got a lot of really good football players. They’re just young.”
Sophomore Haddon Fries might be one of the young players to look out for, especially after making catches like this. One thing you won’t see from Ringgold. Tight end catches.
Said Crisp:”You know we haven’t had a tight end since I’ve been here. (chuckles) At least we don’t have to worry about fitting that mold. We’re going to be a very finesse football team”
Reporter:”You don’t hear too many football coaches use the word finesse.”
Said Crisp:”Yeah. We really have to fit what we have. If we have a bunch of skill kids that can move around a lot, we’ve got to get those guys the ball in space. We’re not going to line up in the ‘I’ and pound on somebody. We have to adapt to what we have.”
Last year, the Tigers went 7-4, including a 6-1 mark in their region.
Said

Edgar:”I think we’re really excited. I think we’re motivated a little bit after last year. Taking that tough loss to Heritage, and then we took a really tough loss region wise to Adairsville. So I think we are motivated. I think we are going to come back with a little more fire this year.”