Terrance Banks is Newton High’s newest head football coach.

The Newton County School Board approved Banks at its Tuesday night meeting, after approximately a six-week search. The search saw more than 30 applications come in, which the NHS search committee whittled down to five candidates for interviews.

From those five, Banks’ interview stood out the most.

“Through the interview process, we just felt like what he brought to the table was a good fit,” said Tracey Curtis, Newton athletic director.

Among the things Curtis said Banks brings to the table, are quality organizational skills, a strong grasp on the fundraising needed to keep the football program going, strong references and, most importantly, a good record as a math teacher.

“It looks like he’s a really good, quality person,” Curtis said. “It also seems like he’s a really, really good teacher. If you can do math, you can do a lot of things.”

Banks comes to the Rams after serving as an assistant coach in charge of receivers for the Duluth varsity football team and head coach of the junior varsity team in 2012.

The Wildcats, of Region 7-AAAAAA were 4-6 last season, scoring 21.9 points per game under head coach Corey Jarvis. Jarvis took over the Mays High School program this offseason with former Duluth assistant head football coach Jason Conner taking over head coaching duties with the Wildcats.

It’s the first head coaching job for Banks, and the second straight hire of a previously inexperienced coach by Newton.

Cortez Allen’s first head coaching job was Newton in 2010 when he was promoted after five years as an assistant.

He went on to compile a record of 17-14 in three seasons, starting his head-coaching career with four straight wins and bringing the Rams a home playoff game last season.

“Everybody has got to begin somewhere,” Curtis said. “We maybe could have found someone with a little more experience, but everybody has to start somewhere.”