Thursday April 27th, following his final home track and field meet, Coach John Esslinger was honored by Scottsboro Mayor Dan Deason with a key to the city. (Top Left)
Sen. Barron's Office awarded Coach a proclaimation from the Alabama Senate for his life long success as a leader and Coach and recognised his 36 State Championships.
Coach Esslinger was also praised by long time Track Booster Dr. Tommy McGee. (Lower Left)
With his Team behind him, Coach Esslinger ran a final lap as Scottsboro High School's Head Track Coach, at Trammel Stadium. (Below)
Coach Esslinger will remain on as the Head Coach of Scottsboro's Cross Country Teams.

Coach Esslinger's Family Indoor Sweep

February 4, 2006, Coach Esslinger's final Indoor Meet as Head Track Coach, was bittersweet. The Wildcat Boys Team finished the 5-A Indoor State Meet as Runner-up to Coach John Esslinger's son Tom. This is Tom's first year as Head Coach at Homewood High School. Coach said, If your gonna lose your last meet, I guess it's OK to lose to your son. Homewood beat Scottsboro 90 to 75. Scottsboro's Girls Team finished 3rd at Indoor State.

Coach Esslinger captures 36th State Title

November 13, 2005 the Wildcat Girls captured Coach John Esslinger his 20th Cross Country State Championship and 36th State Title by overcoming an injury riddled season. The Lady Wildcats dominated the race finishing with their top 2 runners in the top 2 spots, and all 7 of their runners finished in the top 11.

Esslinger's Girls Cross Country Teams have won five consecutive 5A-State Championships and are undefeated for the Century at State.

Coach Esslinger captures 35th State Title

May 7, 2005 in Tuscaloosa the Scottsboro Wildcat Boys Team captured their 4th consecutive 5A Outdoor State Championship and their 11th straight State Title. This 35th State Title for Coach John Esslinger was also Scottsboro's Boys Team's Third Triple Crown in 3 years.

Scottsboro's Girls team fought back from a 50 point deficit on day one to capture 2nd Place, by 1/3 of a point, at the 5A State Championships. Scottsboro's Girls also won the 4x800 relay with a state-record run of 9:44.60.

February 4, 2005 the Wildcat Boys captured their 5th straight Indoor State Championship and the 34th State Title for Coach John Esslinger. The Boys
5A Indoor Championship Streak keeps the Wildcat Boys undefeated for the Century. The Boys team won the 4x400 relay in a State record 3:29.83.
This 2005 Indoor Season also showed the State that the Esslinger Championship Tradition runs (no pun intended) in the Family. Coach Tom Esslinger is an Assistant Coach at Mountain Brook High School and helped coach the Spartans to the 2005 Boys 6A Indoor State Title.

Coach Esslinger captures 32nd and 33rd State Titles

November 13, 2004 the Wildcats capture Coach Esslinger's
18th and 19th Cross Country State Championships with dominating performances by both the Girls and Boys Teams.

Benny Wright and Coach John Esslinger

Coach Esslinger captures 31st State Title

In May, Scottsboro Coach John Esslinger captured his 31st State Championship when his 2004 Boys Team won the Outdoor Track and Field 5A State Championship in Tuscaloosa. The teams win was accomplished without a single first place finish. The 2004 Outdoor Title was the Scottsboro Boys Team's 8th consecutive State Title and their 2nd consecutive Triple Crown (Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor State Championships).