The Polk School Board of Education approved the hiring of Dan Duff as head football coach at Rockmart High School during a special called meeting Tuesday night.

Duff of Hixon, Tenn., was unanimously approved by the nine member panel.

He will be leaving a head football coach position at Hixon High School of Chattanooga, Tenn. There, Duff had coached since 1996.

RHS Principal Marvin Williams was present at the board meeting and proudly announced Duff as the new coach.

Duff, who was not present, replaces Randy Surrett in the Rockmart position.

Surrett resigned early in the Yellow Jackets’ football season to pursue another job.

Duff was scheduled to visit the Polk County area in the near future, according to Williams.

The board will have its regular monthly community input meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m., at the central office.