Sonoraville recently made a coaching hire that they are hoping will make a big impact on the defensive side of the ball when the Phoenix take the field this fall. And if the track record of this new addition to the football staff is any indication, good things are ahead for the Phoenix defense. The Gordon County Board of Education recently approved the hiring of Jim Kremer, who will teach physical education and weight training at Sonoraville High and will serve as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on coach Roger Gentry’s staff. Kremer was most recently the head coach at Adairsville, where he led the Tigers to a 27-16 record in his four years there, including state playoff appearances in the last two seasons. “Change is good sometimes, and everyone in Calhoun knows what (Coach Kremer) can do,” said Gentry. “We are getting a top-notch guy. I’ve known him for over 20 years, and I sat down with him a few weeks ago and persuaded him to come help me build a solid program here.” Kremer, who spent eight years as an assistant coach at Calhoun, followed by stops in Alabama and then Adairsville, resigned as head coach in February following a 7-4 season with the Tigers. He then headed to Thomasville, where he was going to take an assistant job, but once the opportunity at Sonoraville arose, he said he couldn’t pass it up. “It was definitely a blessing when Coach Gentry called me,” said Kremer. “I was already heading to Thomasville. I coached spring there, but things just weren’t seeming to work out. With my family here, and my daughter wanting to stay at Adairsville for her senior year, I felt like it was best to stay in the area. “I’m excited. To not have to move (to Thomasville) and get to go to a good school with good leadership felt like a smart move.” Despite a few successful years as head man at Adairsville, Kremer said the chance to be a part of what’s happening at Sonoraville as well as getting back more to the x’s and o’s part of coaching rather than all the extra things a head coach has to do is something he’s looking forward to. “I’m going to be a part of a stable program with a lot of good people (at Sonoraville), from the top with Principal (Bruce) Potts, Coach Gentry and many others,” said Kremer. “And to be able to get back on the field and direct the defense is exciting. I love the camaraderie with the kids and getting to impact that side of the ball.” Since his hiring, Kremer has come right in and started running the summer program in the weight room at Sonoraville, and Gentry said that along with what he brings to the field and coaching staff is going to be a welcomed addition. “He’s going to come in and run a defense that people have had a lot of trouble against,” said Gentry. “His knowledge and ability to get the kids motivated and running to the ball is something I really can’t wait to see. “It’s good for the kids to hear a new voice, and I think he’s going to do some great things here.” Gentry said where a lot of coaches would shy away from hiring a former head coach on their staff, he said he is happy to welcome Kremer and be able to give him some responsibilities. “Sometimes people don’t hire head coaches because they’re afraid they’ll come in and try to take over the program, but I don’t have that,” said Gentry. “I need someone that has the same thinking process as I do, and that will help me in a lot of ways. “I’ve pulled a lot of shifts and held a lot of jobs in the last two years, and he’s already come in and took some stuff off my hands. I’m just so excited to have him. I think he brings so much to the table for us.” Kremer said from what he’s seen so far, he’s got the same goals as Gentry and the kids he’s working with, but there’s some ways to go before they’re ready to achieve all they want to. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Kremer. “I’m not coming in to change that much from the defense they are already running. The main thing is to get everyone in the right positions. “These are good kids here, and they really want to turn things around. I think we can do that here.” Kremer is taking over the defensive coordinator position from Matthew Rigdon, who took an assistand job at Rome High. Gentry said there will be two more additions to his staff coming in the next month, but those haven't been approved by the Board of Education yet. The Phoenix will be looking to rebound from a 1-9 season in 2012 that was plagued by injuries and bad breaks. They will begin fall practice on July 25. Sonoraville will play their preseason scrimmage at Armuchee on August 16 before opening up the regular season on Aug. 31 when they visit Pickens County.