It was a winning partnership.

When Tommy Walburn was the head coach at Troup High and Bubba Jeter was his most trusted assistant, the two enjoyed tremendous success.

In five seasons, the Tigers were in the state playoffs every season, and they made it to the state semifinals in 2001 and the quarterfinals in 2003.

Beginning this fall, Walburn and Jeter will try to duplicate, or hopefully surpass, the success they had at Troup.

Jeter, who stepped down as Troup’s head coach following the 2009 season, has agreed to become Walburn’s defensive coordinator at Northgate High in Newnan.

Walburn, who has been the head coach at Crisp County since he left Troup after the 2005 season, was tabbed as Northgate’s new coach late last year.

Jeter recently got to know his new players when Northgate went through its two-week spring practice period.

“I’ve been impressed with the kids,” Jeter said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people. They’re athletic. There are definitely some great skill guys.”

Northgate wasn’t the main draw for Jeter.

What attracted him to the position was the chance to work with his old friend.

When Walburn got the job in December, he called Jeter to ask him if he’d join his staff.

Jeter, who a short while before had resigned after completing his second stint as Troup’s head coach, put Walburn off.

“I told him I didn’t want to do it, and I didn’t to at that time,” Jeter said. “I needed some time to rest, to re-charge my batteries.”

Jeter eventually agreed to join Walburn’s staff, though, and now he can’t wait for the new season.

“I think it’ll be fun,” he said. “We finished the spring with a really good feeling.”

Jeter is excited about a new challenge, but he also wishes the best for the school he’s called home for nearly three decades, first as a star player and then as a coach and athletics director.

“I was at the same place for 25 years. It’s tough to (leave),” he said. “But it was time for me to move on, time to get out of the way.”

Charles Flowers, a Troup High graduate who built a dynasty at Shaw, has taken over for Jeter at Troup.

He was the man Jeter hoped would get the job.

“I’m tickled to death that Charlie got it,” Jeter said.

Walburn, meanwhile, said he’s “excited” to be coming to Northgate.

“We’ve had four goods years in Crisp County, and we’ve done some good things in that program,” Walburn said. “I thought it was time to take on a new challenge and I feel very much at home in this area.”