With their 34-10 win over Paulding County, 5th year Warrior head coach James Aull won his 27th game at the helm. This 27th win has now moved him ahead of former coach Michael Walker’s 26 wins, officially securing his place as the most successful coach in school history. Aull’s tenure with the Dubs has seen nothing but historic success for a once sub-par program in APS.
North Atlanta has seen little football success since the 1991 merger of North Fulton and Northside High School. The program has just a 36% win percentage in its history, with only 2 playoff berths prior to Aull’s promotion to head coach. Since his appointment, however, the Warriors have a far superior 63% win percentage, and another 2 playoff berths. Aull has coached the Dubs to back to back to back winning seasons for the first time in school history, the first back to back playoff berths, the first playoff win in school history, and the first home playoff game in school history. What makes Aull’s record especially impressive is that Walker won 26 games of a possible 91, while Aull managed to pass that record in just half that time, winning 27 of 43. “Coach Aull inspires me to be the best player I can be,” said senior defensive back Grant Thompson, “he’s turned this program into a contender.”
Aull has been a student of the game his entire life. After his time playing college ball at West Georgia, starting two years at both center and guard, he returned to his high school alma mater Mt. Zion to take a coaching position in 2005. Since then he has moved around to multiple high schools around the metro area. However, he found home at NAHS in 2018 as an offensive coordinator under former college teammate Sean O’Sullivan. After 2 successful seasons, O’Sullivan left the program, and Aull stepped into the head coach position in 2020. While COVID hampered his first season at the helm, it has been full steam ahead for the Dubs the last three seasons. Their record has improved every year under Aull, improving from three wins in that shortened 2020 season to nine wins in 2023. “It’s a pretty cool feeling to hold this record, but as a coach you’re always worried about winning the next game,” said Aull.
As the 2024 season continues to heat up, Aull looks to continue his historic coaching campaign. Despite all of his success, Aull is not satisfied, and hopes to continue breaking records and turn north Atlanta into a true football powerhouse.
