Hayesville Wrestling Turns to Byers for New Chapter

By Travis Dockery

Sportswriter

Hayesville Schools have named Donovan Byers as the new head wrestling coach for both the boys' and girls' programs at Hayesville Middle School and Hayesville High School.

Byers is a familiar face in Hayesville wrestling. He competed for the program as a student and later returned to lead it when no one else was available to run it. "I wanted the kids to have the opportunity to wrestle," he said of that first stint. He eventually stepped away when a teacher at the school was ready to take over, citing the demands of his full-time job and family responsibilities. With someone in place to keep the program going, he felt comfortable handing it off.

His decision to return is rooted in the same motivation. "There was a need for someone to lead, and I wanted our students to continue having this opportunity," Byers said. Taking on the middle school and high school teams for both boys and girls, he explained, creates a chance to build continuity so younger wrestlers can grow into the high school program with a consistent foundation and clear expectations.

Developing assistant coaches ranks among his top priorities. "I want more people to have the experience and confidence to help lead these teams and keep the program running into the future," he said. With work and family still limiting his own time, building a stronger coaching staff is essential to the program's long-term health.

Byers also addressed his wife and the support behind the scenes. "Every year I've been involved with Hayesville wrestling, Brittany has been there at practices, matches, and tournaments," he said of his wife. "She deserves a lot of credit for the work that people may only associate with me. In a lot of ways, she's the reason I look as capable as I do."

That support matters as the program grows. Interest in wrestling has increased in recent years, including among girls, where the school has established a dual team — growth Byers will now oversee on both sides of the program.

Byers emphasized that lasting success will require shared effort. "The goal is to build something that lasts. That takes coaches, wrestlers, and families working together," he said. He stepped back into the role because he cares about students having a place to wrestle and developing the people who can sustain that opportunity is central to the direction he wants to take the program.

He inherits a program that has seen increased interest over the last few years and produced a state champion last season.