Former NFL linebacker Chris Slade, who is now the head football coach at Pace Academy (Atlanta, Georgia), is the Week 7 High School Coach of the Week for the Atlanta Falcons. Slade, who has been the Knights head coach since 2013, has led his program to the Georgia state playoffs during every year except his first, winning the Class AA state title in 2015.
RT to congratulate our seventh Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Week ?
— Falcons In The Community (@FalconsCR) October 23, 2020
• Chris Slade, Pace Academy
• Sent two former players to the NFL Draft
• Supportive of team as they deal with injury of teammate#PlayFootball pic.twitter.com/WFTdsb9rUt
During his high school days, Slade played with future NFL running back Terry Kirby. Slade and Kirby led Tabb High School to Virginia’s 1987 Division 4 state championship.
Sun, Dec 6, 1987 – Page 23 · Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia) · Newspapers.comSlade, who recorded 47 sacks during his high school career, was a two-time all-state selection after his junior and senior seasons.
Wed, Dec 2, 1987 – 13 · The News Leader (Staunton, Virginia) · Newspapers.comAs a senior, he was also named second team All-America by USA TODAY. He played his college football at Virginia.
Fri, Feb 3, 1989 – Page 15 · Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia) · Newspapers.comSlade was the 31st overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. After eight years with the Pats, Slade’s final NFL season was in 2001 with the Carolina Panthers.
2020 Atlanta Falcons High School Coach of the Week Winners
Wee 6 – Matt Hilmerich, Johns Creek
Week 5 – James Lal, Stone Mountain
Week 4 – Pete Wiggins, Callaway
Week 3 – Bill Stewart, North Gwinnett
Week 2 – Jaybo Shaw, Rabun County
Week 1 – Barrett Davis, Southeast Bulloch
As part of the Coach of the Week program, the NFL and Atlanta Falcons will recognize ten head high school varsity football coaches across the state of Georgia for their hard work and dedication to making a difference in student-athletes lives on and off the field. Each winning head coach will receive a $1,000 grant for their football program, a commemorative Atlanta Falcons item and recognition from the Atlanta Falcons.
