Johnson County

head football

coach arrested

for DUI
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

The head football coach for Johnson County high school was arrested Thursday, July 24, on charges of driving under the influence and a violation of implied consent.

According the narrative included in the arrest report, the Elizabethton Police Department received a call regarding a reckless driver on West Elk Avenue. A patrol officer stopped the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, driven by Michael Atwood, 41, of Mountain City, Tenn., just before 10 p.m.

The officer reported a strong odor of alcohol, and Atwood's performance of a sobriety test was described as very poor.

Atwood initially told the officer he would not take a sobriety test, and when presented with the implied consent form, Atwood is reported to have refused to comply leading to the second charge of violation of implied consent.

He is scheduled to appear in district court in Johnson County, Tenn., on Aug. 11.

Morris Woodring, superintendent for Johnson County schools, said, “We are aware and monitoring the situation and will take the appropriate action when deemed necessary.”