Michael Durham

Profession: Teacher/Coach

High School:  Calhoun High School

Michael Durham is one of the most decorated track athletes in the school’s history while lettering in 4 different sports from 1975-1979.  Many of Durham’s accolades came in track, where he earned a scholarship to the University of Georgia.  During his high school track career, Durham was a State Champion in the Long Jump and Triple Jump.  He was also the Golden South Champion in the High Jump and Triple Jump.  He would earn the honor of being the Stegeman High Point recipient during his Senior year at the State Track Meet.  Durham won Region Championships during his 4-year career in the High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump.  

Durham also had a great basketball career at Calhoun High School, where he would twice be named to the All Rome News Tribune and Chattanooga Times Tri-State Teams.  Durham averaged a double-double in points and rebounds during his Junior and Senior seasons, including a 21.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG during his Senior year.  

Durham was a three-year starter on the Yellow Jacket Football Team, where he played Wide Receiver and Punt Returner.

After enrolling in the University of Georgia on a track scholarship, Durham finished in the Top 5 of the Decathlon all 4 years of his track career.  His career statistics included 11.0 in the 100 m, 24’1/4” in the Long Jump, 42’3” in the Shot Put, 7’ in the High Jump, 51.2 in the 400 m, 15.1 in the 110 Hurdles, 131’ Discus, 13’3” Pole Vault, 186’ Javelin, and 4.35 in the 150 m.

After graduating in 1984, Durham embarked on a career in teaching and coaching.  During his career, he has been the Assistant Coach in Football, Basketball, Track, & Softball and he has served as Head Coach in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track.  Durham is currently the Head Coach of Track and Girls Basketball at Southeast Whitfield High School.  

As a Track Coach, Durham has developed 3 state champions in Boys and Girls Track.  One of his state champions recorded the 5th best time in state history for the Girls 3200 m.  He also coached a Boys state champion in the high jump, who went on to win 5 NCAA championships in the Indoor and Outdoor high jump.  This same champion would finish 5th in the 1996 Olympic Trials.  Durham’s success over the years was highlighted by the Atlanta Track Club, who named him Coach of the Year.

Durham has been married to his wife, Janet, for 34 years.  They have two children, Jessica and Kris.  Jessica Wood has a Doctorate in Pharmacy and is a stay-at-home mother with her two boys, Bennett and Reese.  Jessica’s husband, Blake Wood, is a pitched for the Cincinnati Reds.  Kris Durham is a member of the Inaugural Class for the Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame after a football career that led him from Calhoun High School to the University of Georgia and the NFL.