During a press conference at the school Wednesday morning, Roswell announced that after two and half weeks, they've found Leo Barker's replacement. And to no one's shock, the Hornet's found their coach the same way they've found every single one of their head coaches since 1954: they hired from within.

Justin Sanderson [pictured left], an eight-year coaching veteran in the Hornet program, was promoted to head coach. He takes over for Barker, who resigned on February 7 after learning he would have to move out-of-state at the end of the school year. Sanderson becomes the eleventh head football coach in Roswell history. Each Hornet head coach since William Yoast in 1954 has been promoted from within.

At only 30 years old [he'll be 31 in March], Sanderson is one of the youngest AAAAA coaches in the state. He came to Roswell in 2003 as a member of Tim McFarlin's staff. Sanderson was an assistant coach for the freshman team in 2003 before being promoted to head freshman coach in 2004.

No stranger to the public education circuit, Sanderson's mother taught at RHS for several decades and his father is Superintendent of the Cobb County School system. 

McFarlin tabbed Sanderson as the Hornets offensive line coach in 2005, a job he held until Barker promoted him to assistant head coach in 2008. Barker then named Sanderson offensive coordinator before the 2010 season. With Sanderson calling plays last season, the Roswell offense averaged 27.5 points per game with the team advancing to the second round of the state playoffs.

Barker was always high on Sanderson and when he resigned his head coaching spot on February 7, he told Hornet athletic director John Coen that he thought Sanderson deserved the job.

Without naming Sanderson specifically, Coen told the Beacon on Feb. 9 that Barker had made a "compelling endorsement of someone on staff."

Of course, Barker [pictured right] only had good things to say about his successor, "Justin can help our students get to the next level because he’s been in their shoes and has an appreciation for the balances that are required of student–athletes," the now former Hornet coach says. "We are fortunate to have on our staff a coach that already knows our kids and brings the right mix of passion, intensity and hard work to continue to build a successful program and winning culture that will make Roswell High School proud."

As for Sanderson, he's understandably excited about his new job, "I am very excited to be here and start this amazing journey as the head football coach here at Roswell," the new coach says. "Roswell High School has everything a program needs to be successful: strong academic reputation, winning football tradition, involved parents, and an amazing fan base. I am honored to be part of the Roswell football tradition."

Should Sanderson have any trouble making the transition to head coach, he'll have some help during spring practice in May. Barker, who won't be moving to Los Angeles until this summer, has let Sanderson know that he's willing to help him in any capacity over the next three months.