We're proud to announce that Martinsville High School Athletic Director Tommy Golding will serve as the Bulldogs’ head varsity football coach for the upcoming season, while also continuing in his role as athletic director!
Coach Golding earned degrees in special education and physical education before completing a master’s degree in administration from Radford University. He has a long history with football, having coached the sport in some capacity for 30 of the 34 years he has spent in public education, including 27 years here at MCPS. He joined our division as a special education teacher and football coach, and since then has held numerous athletic and leadership positions, often simultaneously. Prior to being named athletic director in 2006, Golding served concurrently as head varsity baseball coach, varsity football defensive coordinator, and assistant athletic director. During his tenure as athletic director, he has also stepped in to serve MHS as assistant principal and interim principal.
Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr. said Golding's experience and deep knowledge of Martinsville football made him the perfect choice to lead the program this season.
“This decision gives our student-athletes stability, allows our experienced coaching staff to continue its work, and ensures we can take the time necessary to do a thorough search for the next long-term leader of our program,” said Dr. Talley. “Coach Golding has the experience, the ability to lead, and the respect of our staff and players. He’s going to do a great job for Martinsville football this year.”
Golding is stepping in to lead the Bulldogs following the recent departure of former head coach Joe Fielder. Golding explained that, because the coaching change occurred late in the offseason, division leaders determined that promoting from within would provide the greatest continuity for student-athletes and coaching staff while allowing the division adequate time to conduct a comprehensive search for a permanent head coach for the 2027 season.
As athletic director, Coach Golding has long believed in allowing head coaches to build and develop their own coaching staffs. Appointing an experienced internal leader for one season gives the program stability while ensuring the next head coach has the opportunity to build the program with the time and support needed for long-term success.
He said he is excited for the opportunity to lead a coaching staff filled with veteran coaches and to build on the program's tradition.
"I've been here for the successful years and for the not-so-successful years," he said. "I know what success in Bulldog football looks like, and I know how to get our players there."
Golding said the Bulldogs will focus on the physical style of play that has long defined Martinsville’s most successful teams.
“We’re going to run the football,” he said. “When Martinsville has been successful, that’s what we’ve done. We’re going to put our players in the best position to succeed.”