Former Dunwoody football coach Mike Nash dies at 51
The Dunwoody community is in mourning at the news of the reported death of former Dunwoody High School football coach Mike Nash at the age of 51.
Nash, according to multiple social media posts, including one from Dunwoody High School, died on Friday Oct. 3 following emergency surgery after battling a sudden onset of liver failure.
“Coach Nash dedicated over 10 years as the head football coach, building not only a program, but a family,” the DHS post said. “His legacy as a mentor, leader, and friend will continue to live on in the lives of countless players and the family he impacted.”
In March, the Dunwoody Homeowners Association awarded Nash with one of its highest honors – naming him the 2025 Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade marshal.
At the meeting, the DHA heard from an emotional Nash, who said he “wasn’t going to a better place, but a different place.”
“There’s no better place in the world than Dunwoody,” he said. “I hope you all realize what a special place this is. You took us in and you loved us.”
During his decade of coaching at the school, Nash revitalized the program, achieving a 33-64 record with back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. On X, Nash thanked the Dunwoody community for its support, but said, “all good things must come to an end.”
Tributes to Nash were posted on social media, calling him a great leader, coach and friend.
“Mike was a very special guy to this community and he (along with the dedication of his entire family) touched so lives as a coach and teacher,” Dunwoody City Council Member John Heneghan wrote on his blog.
Dunwoody resident and creator of the Dunwoody Area Community Forum Facebook page, said when Nash took over the DHS program, “just 17 players showed up to his first interest meeting.”
“Many would’ve walked away. But not Mike. He told principal Tom McFerrin, ‘It’s going to take 10 years to fix this thing,’” Weber said. “He kept that promise, leading Dunwoody back to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.”
“Coach Nash made it his mission to help teenagers grow into men, teaching discipline, character, and faith on and off the field,” Weber said. “To him, football was a classroom for life, a place to teach integrity, leadership, and love.”
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said Nash’s “influence went far beyond the football field. He inspired his players, students, and their families, re-energized program that was struggling, lifted school spirit, and poured his heart into our community.”
Over the summer, Nash assumed the head coaching position at Chattahoochee County High School in Cusseta. Last night, the team beat the Central Hawks 55-6.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information is known.
The post Former Dunwoody football coach Mike Nash dies at 51 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.