Coach of the Month - Kelly Bowler

Coach of the Month - Kelly Bowler - Boys Soccer Johns Creek High School proudly recognizes Kelly Bowler as the March Coach of the Month, honoring a leader whose lasting impact on the soccer program and school community extends far beyond wins and rankings. Coach Bowler is the only head coach the Johns Creek boys soccer program has ever known, and his dedication has helped shape the program into one of the most respected in the state and nation. This season, he guided the Gladiators to a Region Championship and an extraordinary No. 1 national ranking, milestones that reflect years of consistency, vision, and relentless commitment to excellence. While those achievements are impressive, what truly sets Bowler apart is the way he pours into his players as both a coach and an educator. Principal Chris Shearer praised Bowler’s holistic approach to leadership, saying, “Coach Bowler pours into his program and players like few others. He is always supporting and celebrating his players and striving to make his program the best it can be. The program’s recent #1 national ranking is proof of that. Very impressive!” Bowler’s passion for coaching is evident at every level of the program. Assistant Coach Jill McGarvey shared a moment that captured his influence perfectly: “Coach Bowler LOVES every aspect of coaching and doesn’t leave any players behind. Yesterday at the JV game a player said,‘Bowler is a God!’” The comment, while lighthearted, reflects the deep respect and admiration his players have for him—regardless of their role orlevel. Just as impactful as his coaching is Bowler’s work in the classroom. Social Studies Department Chair Mary Beth Smiley highlighted his ability to blend elite coaching with outstanding teaching: “What is extra impressive about Kelly Bowler is that he combines high-level coaching with high-level attention to teaching. His classes are standards-focused and appropriately challenging. He wants both his players and his students to succeed at their highest level.” She added, “Kelly pours into his soccer team looking for ways to push the players but also keeps it fun. He is a support system for them, and they trust him.” That trust has been a cornerstone of the program’s success. Players respond to Bowler not just because of his knowledge of the game, but because of the genuine care he shows for their growth—as athletes, students, and young men. He celebrates their successes, challenges them to reach higher, and ensures no one is left behind. Coach Kelly Bowler embodies what it means to be a true teacher-coach, blending passion, discipline, and heart in everything he does. His leadership continues to elevate Johns Creek soccer and leave a lasting legacy within the school community. Congratulations to Coach Kelly Bowler, Johns Creek’s Coach of the Month for March. ‍