Central High School hosted the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony honoring inductees Deaidra Wilson, Jimmy LeBlanc, Neil Ruby, and Jarrod Cook.
Mr. Neil Ruby has spent his entire career in Carroll County Schools, serving as the Director of Bands at Central High School for 24 years, from 1998 to 2021.
Under his leadership, the Central High School bands earned exclusively superior ratings, over 500 Class and Division Placement Awards, and 54 Grand Championships. His bands performed for millions of people around the world, including representing the State of Georgia and Southern United States in two appearances at the prestigious Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, and as the featured “Honor Band” in the Waikiki Holiday Parade and Pearl Harbor Commemoration in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Central bands were two-time recipients of the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association and received the Certificate of Merit from the National Band Association on four occasions. Additionally, the Central-Carroll Symphonic Bands performed at the GMEA State Conference in Athens, Georgia; the Southeastern United States Honor Clinic in Troy, Alabama; JanFest at the University of Georgia; and at the National Adjudicators Invitational.
During his tenure, the Central bands received letters of commendation from both Governor Sonny Perdue and Governor Roy Barnes, as well as two resolutions from the Georgia House of Representatives.
Neil is a six-time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence. He was named STAR Teacher five times and is a two-time Teacher of the Year recipient in Carroll County. He was also selected as Teacher of the Year by the Walmart Foundation, named a Star 94 “Teachers Who Make a Difference” recipient as a Georgia Teacher of the Year, and recently received the Lifetime Legacy Award from West Georgia TV.
Neil is the Immediate Past-President of the Georgia Music Educators Association. He served four years as the GMEA State Band Chair, four years as the GMEA District Seven Chairman, and as a member of the GMEA Music Selection Committee, State Marching Band Committee, and All-State Band Committee, as well as a Mentoring Teacher for the State of Georgia. He is also a GMEA-Certified Head Adjudicator for the State of Georgia.
Neil is currently in his fifth year as the Director of Fine Arts for the Carroll County School System, working with the Fine Arts Programs at 23 schools. He also serves as the Instrumental Director at Roopville Road Baptist Church.
Neil is incredibly proud to be a Central Lion and feels deeply blessed to have worked alongside the most incredible students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and community throughout his 24 memorable years at Central High School. Go Lions! Congratulations to 2026 Hall of Fame member, Mr. Neil Ruby.
Jimmy LeBlanc was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, living there until he was 9 years old. Those who know him know that he is an avid Boston sports fan. His family moved to Fayette County, Georgia where he graduated from Fayette County High School. Upon graduation he moved to Carrollton to attend West Georgia College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1987. While at West Georgia College, he met Cherri Harman, a graduate of Central High School, and was introduced to the Central community. He later received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from West Georgia and his Specialist in Leadership from Jacksonville State University.
Upon graduation from West Georgia in 1987, Jimmy joined the Central faculty as a teacher and coach, beginning his career under the mentorship of Central greats, Coach Ronnie Burchfield and Coach Scott Cowart. He attributes his success to his faith in Christ, his wife and best friend Cherri, and the mentorship of these two leaders. Central became his family through the years, adopting him as one of its own. During that first year in 1987, Coach LeBlanc experienced a State Championship as a part of the football staff, watching the outstanding varsity staff of Coaches Burchfield, Bailey, and Tolleson while working directly under Coach Simpkins with the offense and defensive lines. During the winter season he worked on Coach Bailey’s girls’ basketball staff with Coach Cris Criswell and during the spring season he coached track under Coach Simpkins.
As a side note, after getting married on Saturday, December 19, Jimmy and Cherri left the church and went directly to Roy Richards Stadium, starting their marriage on the sidelines and in the stands of the 1987 State Championship football game. Cherri’s support and shared dedication to Central was an important partnership in regard to the long hours and challenges of coaching. Jimmy and Cherri have 4 children, all Central graduates: Taylor Woods (2009), Madison (2010), Sydney (2013), and Davis (2019).
In 26 years at Central High, Jimmy served as teacher, coach, and assistant principal.
Jimmy coached track from 1987-1994. He coached football from 1987 to 1995 including two state championships. He coached cross country from 1995-1998, he coached basketball from 1987 to 2000 and then from 2003 to 2013 including a final four appearance and an elite eight appearance in 1997 and 98. Jimmy coached softball from 2003 to 2005 and then again from 2010 to 2013 with four elite eight appearances and a 3rd place finish in 2012. Jimmy also coached golf in 2013.
During his coaching career, Jimmy was named region coach of the year four times in basketball spanning from 1995 to 2001. Jimmy was also named region coach of the year in softball in 2003, 2005, and 2013. Jimmy served as the Physical Education department chair for 15 years and was an assistant principal at CHS from 1998 to 2004.
Coach Leblanc left CHS to serve as assistant principal at Central Middle school from 2013 to 2015. He would complete his career being named principal at Central Middle school from 2015 to 2020.
LeBlanc is grateful to the Central community for taking him in and to all the colleagues and friends along the way. He is also thankful for the many student athletes that played for him and the incredible experiences they shared. It is an honor to be inducted to the Central High School Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Coach Jimmy Leblanc.
Jarrod Cook distinguished himself as a talented multi-sport athlete during his time at Central, earning varsity letters in both baseball and basketball. As a senior, he was named the Times-Georgian Player of the Year in basketball. His competitive spirit, work ethic, and leadership laid the foundation for a successful athletic and professional career.
After graduating from Central, Jarrod continued his baseball career at Southern Union Community College, where he spent two seasons as a standout pitcher and earned All-Conference Pitcher honors. He then transferred to Auburn University at Montgomery, where he continued to excel on the mound. During his two years at AUM, Jarrod helped lead the Senators to a fourth-place finish in the NAIA World Series and was again recognized as an All-Conference Pitcher. He later graduated from AUM with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.
In 2006, Jarrod married Lindsey Cook of Montgomery, Alabama. Together they have two children, Barrett, age 18, and Mary Claire, age 14. Family has always been at the center of Jarrod’s life and serves as the foundation for his success both on and off the field.
Following his collegiate career, Jarrod dedicated himself to both education and athletics. From 2009 to 2023, he served as a Physical Education teacher and baseball coach at Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, Alabama. As an Assistant Baseball Coach, he helped build one of Alabama’s premier high school baseball programs. During that time, Trinity captured AHSAA State Baseball Championships in 2012 and 2013 in Class 3A and in 2015 in Class 4A. In recognition of his contributions to the program and the success of its student-athletes, Jarrod was named the 2015 Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.
In 2021, Jarrod was named Head Baseball Coach at Trinity Presbyterian School, continuing the tradition of excellence he helped establish. Under his leadership, the Wildcats won the 2022 Class 3A AHSAA Baseball State Championship, and Jarrod was honored as the 2022 Alabama High School Baseball Coach of the Year. That same year, he was selected to serve as the 2022 South All-Star Baseball Head Coach. In 2023, Jarrod accepted the position of Head Baseball Coach at Lee-Scott Academy in Auburn, Alabama. Since taking over the program, he has continued to lead teams to championship-level success. His accomplishments at Lee-Scott include:
∙ 2024 AISA Baseball State Runner-Up
∙ 2025 AHSAA Class 3A Baseball Quarterfinalist
∙ 2026 AHSAA Class 3A Baseball Semifinalist
Beyond the wins and championships, Jarrod is passionate about mentoring student-athletes to pursue their God-given purpose both on and off the field. He is known for bringing a blue-collar work ethic, high energy, and a collaborative leadership style to every program he leads. His commitment to player development has helped numerous athletes advance to the collegiate and professional levels, while also preparing young men for success in life beyond baseball.
Jarrod’s accomplishments as a player, educator, coach, husband, father, and mentor exemplify the values of dedication, leadership, faith, and excellence. From his success as a student-athlete at Central High School, to his achievements on the collegiate level, and ultimately to his impact on generations of young athletes as a teacher and championship winning coach, Jarrod has consistently represented the very best of his community and alma mater. Congratulations to Jarrod Cook, 2026 Hall of Fame
Deaidra Wilson is a 1981 Central High School graduate and member of the Lion family. Her Lion pride began at Central Primary in second grade, and that same pride continued through her graduation from Central High School 45 years later with the Class of 1981. During high school years, Deaidra was a section leader of the marching band and competed in the All-District Band, playing the clarinet. At Central, Deaidra was the President of the Student Council, President of FHA, Leonine Staff, and graduated 25th in her senior class.
Deaidra also played basketball and was captain her senior year. Deaidra was fortunate to have received a full scholarship to attend Southern Union, where she held the block shot and rebounding records for many years. She then transferred with a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University to continue her basketball career.
Deaidra received her BA at Southern Union, BS in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University, Master’s degree from West Georgia College in Early Childhood Education, and her Educational Specialist degree from Jacksonville State University in Educational Leadership.
Deaidra always planned to come back home to teach and she did, at Central Elementary for 16 years. Deaidra coached girls’ basketball at Central Middle for ten years. While coaching the middle school girls, she never had a losing season and had one perfect season while winning the middle school title. The banners were displayed in the gym for many years.
Deaidra left the classroom and began her administrative career at Roopville elementary from 2000 to 2002 as assistant principal, transferring to Central High School as assistant principal, before becoming the Principal at Sharp Creek Elementary in 2007. At Sharp Creek she implemented the church partnership and prayer walk in the school, two of her greatest accomplishments. Ending her career in education at the Alternative Middle/ High school. Retiring with 32 years in education.
Deaidra has been married to Curtis Wilson from Cadiz, Kentucky for 29 years. They have one daughter, Kobe Elizabeth Wilson, who is also a graduate of Central High School Class of 2017. Both of her siblings as well are graduates of Central High School, Samantha Class of 92’ and Bobby Class of 2000.
Deaidra loves serving in her church, Moore’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Her other accomplishments include her 40-year membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and Alpha Zeta Sorority which are service organizations. After retirement, she’s had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Ghana, Greece, and is leaving for Thailand next month. “She has learned that life is a winding path through hills and valleys and in the end, the journey is all that matters.”
Central High School Principal Mr. Kelly Edwards presented each of the Hall of Fame inductees with a plaque during pregame. The Central Lion family congratulates the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees, Neil Ruby, Jimmy LeBlanc, Jarrod Cook, and Deaidra Wilson.
Author: Linda Morris
