I am Bryant Appling, and I’m proud to serve as the Head Football Coach at Buford High School. I’ve been coaching here for 21 years, and it’s been an incredible journey watching our program grow and thrive. Originally from Decatur GA, graduated from Lithonia High School and a graduate of Lehigh University. Lehigh is where I earned my degree in Marketing, also attended The University of Georgia where I earned Master’s in Workforce Education. Kennesaw State University, where I completed my Education journey with an EdS in Educational Technology.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Son of Ellis & Myra Appling who still reside in Lithonia GA. Married to LaSauna Appling for 16 years who is a 2nd Grade teacher at Buford Academy. We have 3 children, Bryauna 9th grader, Brendon 13 7th Grader, Landry 10 5th Grader
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love the fact that I get to impact kids lives on a daily basis. As crazy as it is I love to come to work each day to try to make a difference in all the students lives.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Bravo, Bare Bones, & Aqua Terra
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
21 Years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Ryan Daniel was one of a kind, and if you know you know. No other way to describe him but interesting! Magnetic person that CARED harder about everything and everybody in Buford than anyone I have met! Always F.A.M.I.L.Y.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Fiji – It’s where my wife wants to go.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Anything Marvel
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I heard Inky Johnson say this quote one time, not sure who it belongs to. “If everyone around you, including you, threw all their problems in a bucket you would want your problems back.” Don’t worry about every situation being fair, you can’t even worry about what everyone thinks of you all the time. I realized that too late in life and spent a bunch of time spending mental and emotional energy on trying to make everybody happy. Matthew 6: 33-34 is the scripture that changed my philosophy on this. Treat people fairly, the way you want to be treated, in good and hard times and respect will be earned from everyone.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Develop my fathers farm land in Roberta GA
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Not a band, but the group Outkast
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Buford’s Grill
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Inky Johnson, His outlook on everything provides me motivation on a daily basis. Bare Bones
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Small Town feel in a Big county. We are truly family and the support from the school, city & community is unmatched!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Here hopefully!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love to cook, Want to go to Culinary school when I retire from teaching and coaching and build a huge kitchen in my forever home where ever that may be.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
December, Christmas Time, New Years day
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Any Jon Gordon book but the book he wrote with Mike Smith “You Win in the Locker Room First. The 7 Cs to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports & Life”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My parents. The most hardworking, disciplined people I know that are always there for me & my brother, our wives, and the grandkids.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My Mom’s/Grandmothers Sweet potato pie, A new car.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Comfort, Love – Tough Love & Safety, Happiness