Joe Caldwell, who coached Tuscola to state title in 1972, dies at 90
Aug. 4—Joe Caldwell, Tuscola High School's head football coach from 1971-1976, including the 1972 state 3A co-championship team, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 1. He was 90.
A native of Sylacauga, Alabama, "Big Joe" Caldwell was a member of the Georgia Independent School Association and Mitchell County Hall of Fame.
Caldwell became head coach at Tuscola in 1971. One of his references was Pisgah head coach Joe Compton, who coached with Caldwell in Alabama and Georgia.
Although Caldwell won 44 games in his six seasons in Waynesville, expectations weren't very high when he arrived in 1971. The Mountaineers had not beaten the Bears since 1966 when both schools were formed through consolidation.
The 1972 season saw a changing of the guard. Tuscola fought to a 16-6 playoff win over Pisgah that year and capped its season with a 14-14 tie with Sanford Central in the 1972 state championship game. Overtime was not permitted in those years, so Tuscola was crowned co-state champion.
Caldwell's sons played for their father at Tuscola, with Jody as the starting quarterback in 1971 and Jeff in 1972 and '73.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Hand Memorial United Methodist Church in Thomasville, Georgia.
