MARSHVILLE– Forest Hills High School has named Cory Smith as its new head football coach, according to a press release from the school.

       Smith replaces long time head coach John Lowery, who resigned his coaching position last month.

       Smith is a lifetime Union County resident and graduate of Sun Valley High School.  He was an integral part under Coach Scott Stein in turning the Sun Valley football program into a perennial power in the Southern Piedmont Conference.  As quarterback at Sun Valley, Smith was a two-time all-South Piedmont Conference player and 2-timeaAll Union County player as a junior and senior in football.

       He continued his football career at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke on a football scholarship where he played quarterback for four years, three as a starter.  At Pembroke, Smith had a 24-9 career record as a starter, threw for over 5000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He was team offensive MVP in 2008, Third team All-Super Region 2 in 2009, was named Second team All-Independent in 2009, and Pre-season All-American in 2010. 

       Upon graduation from Pembroke, Smith began his teaching and coaching career at Forest Hills. Smith was the head baseball coach at Forest Hills from 2011-2014. He has been an assistant football coach in charge of the quarterbacks for the past three seasons.  

      “In looking for our next head coach, we were looking for someone who could build on the success we have had at Forest Hills over the years,” said principal Kevin Plue.  “In order to find that person, we needed someone who not only knew the history and tradition here at Forest Hills, but also brought with them fresh ideas and energy that can add to that rich history.  Additionally, we were looking for someone that our community can be proud to call their head football coach, and will not only position our student-athletes to be successful on the field, but also in life.  Finally, we were looking for someone who could continue the tradition of stability in our head coaching position.  We feel Cory Smith can do all of those things, and we are very excited to name him as our next head football coach.”