ACE's McLendon has found a new home, just down I-16 against a region rival, as new softball coach at Dublin
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
When ACE Charter’s baseball season eventually ends, that will complete the Gryphons career of Josh McLendon.
But he’ll be back.
The outgoing athletics director, and softball and baseball head coach was approved Monday night yt Dublin City Schools as the new softball head coach at Dublin.
Which is a Region 2-A/Division I rival of ACE.
McLendon was one of the few remaining staffers in the ACE athletics department from the school’s start. He said a little more than a week ago it was time for a new challenge, and expected to have news of that soon after.
And that came Monday night.
He will also be part of the system’s athletics administration, although that role wasn’t specified in the release, and will be part of the baseball staff.
Wife Julie will also move from ACE to Dublin as a teacher.
ACE travels on Friday to take on top seed Gordon Lee in the second round of the GHSA Class A state baseball playoffs.
Here is the release from Dublin City Schools (with mild editing):
McLendon brings an impressive background in coaching and leadership, along with a strong commitment to student-athlete success both on and off the field.
McLendon joins DMS Athletic Director Amanda Howard and District Athletic Director Roger Holmes in managing the operations of Dublin Athletics at Dublin High School.
“Coach McLendon is a champion with a championship mindset,” Holmes said. “He has won at every level he has coached, and he will bring that same focus and intensity not just to the softball field but to all aspects of our Athletics program.”
A native of Macon, McLendon has built a distinguished career in education and athletics since 2005. He most recently served as Athletic Director at the Academy for Classical Education iin Macon, where he was also the head softball and baseball coach. Under his leadership, ACE’s softball team captured a state championship in 2021.
Prior to his time at ACE, McLendon coached at Central Fellowship Christian Academy, where he helped lead the program to a 2015 state softball championship. His teams have consistently demonstrated excellence with multiple region titles and deep playoff runs.
Photo: Dublin City Schools
“Coach McLendon is a winner in every sense of the word,” said Principal Dr. Michael Overstreet. “He exemplifies high performing and trustworthy leadership, and will lead our softball team and high school athletics to great heights in the months and years ahead.”
“I’m very excited to begin this new chapter,” McLendon said. “I feel confident we can grow our softball team into a competitive program that reflects the excellence we see in so many areas of athletics and academics at Dublin High School.”
Joining him in Dublin City Schools is his wife, Julie McLendon, who will be serving as a teacher within the district. Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree from Middle Georgia State University.
“The McLendons have three children: Jake, Jaymi Kate, and Jillian.
“Coach McLendon is man of character and committment, and has a proven track record of building programs that compete at the highest levels,” said Superintendent Dr. Fred Williams. “It is an exciting day for the Fighting Irish family.”