Three-time champion Tomberlin retiring at Effingham

Effingham County coach Rick Tomberlin is retiring after a 30-year career during which he won 236 games, nine region championships and three state titles.

“I have loved every minute,” Tomberlin told Frank Sulkowski of The Coastal Source. “I have some other opportunities away from coaching but will continue to live here in Effingham.”

Tomberlin, a native of Appling County who played at Florida State under Bobby Bowden, is one of 30 Georgia coaches with three or more GHSA state titles. He won his in 1994, 1996 and 1997 at Washington County, where he coached future NFL stars Takeo Spikes and Robert Edwards.

Tomberlin’s success at Washington County helped get him the most high-profile job in the state – at Valdosta – in 2006. He was 22-21 in four seasons there. Tomberlin’s Effingham teams finished 6-4, 2-8 and 6-5. Tomberlin’s final record is 236-118.

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