Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator

Luqman Salam

Coach Luqman Salam is a graduate of the University of the South (Sewanee) and holds a master’s degree from Jacksonville State University, as well as a specialist degree from Berry College. Now in his 20th year as a teacher and coach—and his 4th year as a head football coach—he has dedicated his entire career to serving the Cobb County community.

As an assistant coach and Defensive Coordinator at Hillgrove High School, Coach Salam helped lead the Hawks to 12 playoff appearances in 14 years. Earlier in his career at Wheeler High School, his teams captured five region championships and made three quarterfinal appearances. In 2019, he was honored as the Doug Orebaugh Defensive Coach of the Year by the Cobb County Touchdown Club.

In 2022 and 2023, Coach Salam guided the Osborne Cardinals to their best seasons since 1994—earning the program’s first-ever state playoff berth, achieving a top-five scoring defense, and securing the highest MaxPreps season ranking in school history. The team also earned its highest state ranking since 1994 before falling in the playoffs. For his leadership, Coach Salam was named the 2023 Region Coach of the Year by the Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ).

In 2024, Coach Salam joined the Harrison Hoyas as Head Football Coach, where he was named the 6A Coach of the Year by Score Atlanta for his leadership during the 2024 season. He earned the award after guiding Harrison to a successful season, including the program’s first region title since 2019. Under his leadership, the Hoyas ended a 10-game losing streak to McEachern and reestablished themselves as one of the top programs in the region. This recognition highlights his ability to transform teams, sustain excellence, and build upon a legacy of success.

Outside of football, Coach Salam is passionate about serving others and values time with his family and friends. He and his wife, Nakia, are proud parents of four wonderful children: Jabreel, Atiya, Aminah, and Zaid.

Freshman Defensive Coordinator / Varsity Defensive Assistant Coach

Ahmad Salam


Coach Ahmad Salam joined the Harrison High School football staff in 2024 as the Freshman Defensive Coordinator and 6th Grade Assistant Coach. In 2025, he expanded his responsibilities, becoming the Head Coach for the Harrison Middle School 8th Grade team while continuing to serve as the Freshman Defensive Coordinator and Varsity Defensive Assistant Coach.

Prior to joining Harrison, Coach Salam spent three years at Osborne Middle School, where he served as Head Coach, Middle School Coordinator, and Varsity Assistant Offensive Line Coach. Before his tenure at Osborne, he worked as the Defensive Coordinator for Hillgrove’s Middle School football program for three years.

Professionally, Coach Salam has dedicated his career to supporting at-risk youth who face challenges related to mental health and behavior. He also works with adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism, driven by a passion for helping individuals reach their full potential and maximize their abilities.

Coach Salam is married to his wife, Khadijah Abdullah, and they have four children: Hamza, Suhayla, Ahtika, and Salih.

Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach

Trent Thompson

Coach Trent Thompson, a proud Cobb County native and McEachern High School alumnus, joined the Harrison High School football staff in 2024 as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. After graduating from McEachern, he attended the University of West Alabama, where he earned his degree and met his wife, Laura. The Thompsons now reside in the Dallas area with their two sons, Bennett and Tate.

Coach Thompson brings a wealth of offensive experience to the Harrison program. He began his coaching career at Hiram High School, serving as the Quarterbacks Coach from 2017 to 2018. He then joined Paulding County High School, where he coached quarterbacks and served as the Passing Game Coordinator from 2018 to 2020, before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator from 2020 to 2023. Most recently, he was the Offensive Coordinator at Central (Carroll) High School during the 2023 season.

Coach Thompson is passionate about player development and offensive strategy, emphasizing precision, preparation, and leadership both on and off the field.

Running Backs Coach

Emmitt Hill

Coach Hill has over fifteen years of coaching experience on both sides of the ball at the college and high school levels. A native of Georgia, Coach Hill is a graduate of Creekside High School in Fairburn, GA. He lettered all four years in football and track &; field for the Seminoles. After graduation, Coach Hill attended the US Naval Academy and later transferred to Georgia Tech, where he finished his playing career playing both running back and wide receiver. Coach Hill later earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Southern Polytechnic State University and his master’s degree in Sports Management from American Public University.

He is married to the incredible Natasha Hill and they have two wonderful young men, Emmett, (Harrison Hoya, Class of ’22) and Xavier, currently on the Hoyas football (#12) and baseball teams.

Offensive Line Coach / 8th Grade Assistant Coach

Torrey Howard

Coach Torrey Howard joined the Harrison High School football staff in 2024, bringing 19 years of coaching experience. Prior to joining Harrison, he coached at New Manchester High School and McEachern High School.

A graduate of Valdosta State University, Coach Howard was a four-year starter and three-time All-American offensive lineman from 2001 to 2004. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was inducted into the Valdosta State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and named to the Gulf South Conference First Team All-Decade.

In addition to his coaching roles, Coach Howard serves as a Social Studies teacher at Harrison High School and as an Assistant Coach for the Harrison Middle School 8th Grade team.

Inside Linebackers

CJ Turner

Coach Turner grew up in Cobb County and attended Harrison High school. He was a three-year letterman in both Football and Baseball. He attended University of West Georgia after Highschool to play football for two years. Then graduated in 2022 with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education.
Wide Receivers Coach

Jeff Meese

Coach Meese grew up in Northern California where he attended San Ramon Valley High School and was a three-year letterman and starting quarterback. He played collegiately at Chico State University, Diablo Valley Junior College, and Cal State Hayward. After his college career he played one season for the Amsterdam Crusaders in the European American Football League.

He began his coaching career at his alma mater San Ramon Valley High School and eventually became the offensive coordinator at Diablo Valley College in the early 1990’s. He moved to Georgia in 1996 and was as an assistant football coach and head tennis coach at Woodward Academy from 1999-2011.

Coach Meese came to Harrison High School in the fall of 2011. He is a member of the Social Studies Department and teaches Civics/Economics, United States History, and World Geography. Along with his football duties, he is also the Varsity Boy’s Head Tennis Coach.

Coach Meese lives in Kennesaw with his wife Darleen and their two children Naila and Brady. In his free time, he goes to the beach at Hilton Head Island, listens to country music, and plays golf with his wife.

Freshman Head Coach / Offensive Assistant

Travis Farmer

Coach Travis Farmer grew up in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and attended Brookwood High School, where he was a two-year letterman in both football and golf. After high school, he attended Georgia Southern University before graduating from Kennesaw State University with a degree in History Education. He also holds a Master’s degree from the University of Alabama.

Coach Farmer began his coaching career at Creekview High School while still in college, where he coached football and baseball for one season. He joined Harrison High School in 2018, initially coaching basketball before transitioning to the football staff in 2019 as the Freshman Running Backs Coach. In 2020, he joined the varsity staff as the Tight Ends Coach and later served as the Varsity Running Backs Coach, JV Head Coach, and JV Offensive Coordinator.

Coach Farmer currently serves as the Freshman Head Coach and Offensive Assistant Coach at Harrison High School. He is also the Head Golf Coach, a position he has held since 2020. Under his leadership, the golf program has continued its 34-year streak of qualifying for the State Championship tournament, expanded participation, and added state-of-the-art equipment to enhance player development.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Coach Farmer teaches World History as part of the Social Studies Department at Harrison High School. He lives in Acworth with his wife, Taylor, their daughter, Ellis, and their son, Emerson. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, visiting the beach, listening to music, and playing golf with family and friends.

Kickers

Kent Lindsey

Outside Linebackers Coach

Nick Williamson

Coach Nick Williamson hails from Wayne County, Georgia, where he was a four-year football letterman for the Yellow Jackets and a 1990 graduate of Wayne County High School. He continued his academic and athletic career at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, lettering all four years as a student-athlete and contributing at the safety position. During his time with the Bulldogs, the team captured the Mid-South Coast Conference Championship.

Coach Williamson brings 27 years of experience coaching varsity football, including 15 years as a Defensive Coordinator and Strength Coach. Throughout his career, he has helped numerous athletes achieve their goals of competing at the collegiate level and has been part of five Region Championships, three undefeated regular seasons, and multiple State Playoff appearances — including a State Championship with the 2019 Harrison Hoyas.

This season marks Coach Williamson’s 12th year coaching in the Harrison High School Athletic Department and his 27th year as an educator. He has two children, Caleb (24) and Ellie Mai (21).

Tight Ends / Fullbacks Coach

Braeden Langford

Coach Braeden Langford is entering his fourth year with the Harrison High School football program and his eighth year overall as a high school football coach. A 2016 graduate of Harrison High School, Coach Langford went on to attend the University of Georgia, where he earned a degree in Kinesiology and obtained his teaching certification in Health and Physical Education.

Following his time at Georgia, Coach Langford began his coaching career at Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens, Georgia, before moving to Worth County High School in Sylvester, Georgia. Among his early career accomplishments, he was part of the 2020 GHSA State Championship team at Prince Avenue Christian.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Coach Langford serves as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Harrison High School.

Freshman Linebackers & Running Backs Coach / Varsity Assistant Linebackers Coach / 6th Grade Assistant Coach

Deonta Coker

Coach Deonta Coker joined the Harrison High School football staff in 2025, marking his first year in coaching. A native of Powder Springs, Georgia, Coker graduated from Hillgrove High School in 2017, where he developed a lifelong passion for football. He continued his education at Talladega College, earning his degree in 2022.

At Harrison, Coach Coker serves as the Freshman Linebackers and Running Backs Coach, while also assisting with the Varsity linebackers and working as an Assistant Coach for the 6th Grade Middle School program. He is dedicated to helping student-athletes develop strong fundamentals, discipline, and a deep love for the game of football.

Freshman Offensive Line Coach / Varsity Assistant Offensive Line Coach / 6th Grade Head Coach

Grant Suttle

Coach Grant Suttle joined the Harrison High School football staff in 2024 as the Freshman Offensive Line Coach and Varsity Assistant Offensive Line Coach. A native of Powder Springs, Georgia, Suttle graduated from Hillgrove High School in 2021 before continuing his education and football career at Birmingham-Southern College (2021–2023). He later transferred to Jacksonville State University, where he earned his degree in 2024.

In addition to his coaching duties at Harrison, Coach Suttle serves as the 6th Grade Head Coach for the Harrison Middle School football program and teaches Physical Education at Due West Elementary School. He is passionate about developing young athletes, emphasizing fundamentals, teamwork, and character both on and off the field.

Defensive Line / Strength & Conditioning Coach

Joe Gerda

Coach Joe Gerda joined the Harrison High School staff in 2025. A proud Hoya alum (Class of ’98), he went on to play football at the University of Memphis, where he graduated in 2003.

After college, Gerda signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings and was allocated to NFL Europe in 2004. He began his coaching career at Kennesaw Mountain High School (2004–2006) and later served at Hillgrove High School (2006–2025) as Defensive Line Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator.

Coach Gerda is married to Monica Gerda, and they have two children, Jensen and Keaton.

Freshman Offensive Assistant Coach

Wayne Adams

Coach Wayne Adams is entering his eighth year coaching freshman football at Harrison High School. He began his coaching career with the Harrison Junior Program in 2005 and has been a dedicated member of the Hoya football community ever since.

Coach Adams earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from Mercer University. Before joining Harrison full-time, he worked as a Sales Executive in the Information Technology industry for 32 years. In 2019, he transitioned into education, serving as a Paraprofessional at Harrison High School.

Coach Adams is married to his wife, Jackie, and they have two sons, Jake and Josh, both proud graduates of Harrison High School who played football for the Hoyas.

Director of Football Operations

Rueben Lowery

Coach lowery grew up in Richmond County Georgia and attended Burke County High School where he was a 4 year letter in Baseball. He attended Georgia Tech and graduated in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering.

Coach Lowery began his coach career FB Operations and Coaching career at Osborne High School where he performed both functions for 3 years under Head Coach Luqman Salam.

Coach Lowery, in his free time, loves to hang out with with his family - Wife Tisha, and adult children Daughters Ebony (Breland) and Joy along with his son Reuben, along with his Grandson Andrew.