Moultrie, GA – On Monday night, the Colquitt County Board of Education approved the recommendation of Coach Taylor Barber to take the helm as the next Lady Packer Softball Coach. Coach Barber, a 2011 alumnus of Colquitt County High School, returns home to lead a program that has become one of the most successful in the state and of which he has been a part.
Coach Barber expressed his gratitude, stating, “I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity to come back home and lead a program that I've been a part of before, but also one that has been built into one of the most successful programs in the state over the past few years. It's big shoes to fill but an opportunity I don't take lightly. This is a program that has been built on coaches and players that have an incredible amount of pride and an unreal work ethic. We aim to continue building on that success the same way.”
During his tenure as Head Softball Coach at Tift County, Coach Barber achieved significant success, including:
- 3 State Playoff appearances (2020, 2021, 2022)
- 1 Sweet 16 appearance (2022)
- 25 All-Region selections
- 5 All-State selections
- 2020 Region 1-7A Coach of the Year
- 2022 Sweet 16 team broke every team offensive school record and three players breaking five individual single-season and career records for hits, doubles, triples, and home runs
- 6 Collegiate Signings
- 2022 and 2023 Georgia Dugout Club All-State Coaching Staff
- Third-winningest coach in Tift County fastpitch history
Coach Barber is married to Elizabeth Ann, a 6th-grade math teacher at Willie J Williams. They have two boys, Keegan (3 years old) and Cannon (2 months old).
Colquitt County High School Athletic Director Coach Cleve Edwards commented on the appointment: “Coach Barber comes back to the Packer family with much success in Tift County. We know that we are getting a coach that believes in putting in the hard work needed to be successful on the diamond.”
Principal Dr. Chris Merritt added, “Coach Barber knows the tradition of Lady Packer softball and has been a part of its past success. He has proven himself by building a quality program in Tifton, and I am confident that he will continue to elevate Lady Packer softball to new heights.”