February 12, 2026 — Mike Fredenburg's connection to the North Cobb community runs deep. Thirty-five years ago, he graduated from North Cobb High School. He was a four-sport athlete — football, wrestling, baseball, and track and field (shot put and discus). His success was undeniable: All-County honors in every sport he played, All-State recognition in three, and All-American status as well. In 2007, he was inducted into North Cobb's Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its second class.
After high school, Mike attended the University of Georgia and later East Tennessee State. He earned his undergraduate degree in sociology and criminal justice, a master’s degree in autism and special education, and a specialist degree in educational leadership and administration. He spent the next 15 years teaching and coaching in Georgia and Florida.
In August 2025, Mike returned home to North Cobb as a teacher and coach, bringing his son, Madden, with him.
"He’s a better athlete than I was," the coach and father says without hesitation. "Madden is stronger than I was. He's a better wrestler and a better football player."
These aren't just words of a humblebragging father. Madden is 6-foot-3 and plays on the offensive line and wrestles heavyweight. He bench presses over 420 pounds and "squats a house," according to his dad. He is an all-state football player and an All-American wrestler. He recently tallied his 150th career win on the mat and is headed to the state tournament in Morrow, GA, this weekend. His record this season is 35-2, and his career record is 156-37.
More importantly, Madden has very clear goals and has been directing his academic and athletic performance with these in mind.
"Work as hard as I can. Keep myself out of bad situations. Do what needs to be done," Madden says with simplicity and sincerity.
"He’s a good kid," his dad says in agreement. "He doesn’t get in trouble, and he’s a good student. It’s not always about athletics."
It's About Family
For Coach Fredenburg, putting family first is a given. When his father died a few years back, his mother was left alone in his childhood home, a three-story house down the street from the high school. When he made a life decision to return to his hometown, career opportunities at North Cobb also opened to him. He was especially impressed with the culture among the Warrior coaching staff.
"I’ve never worked with a staff that has as little ego as this group," he said. "There’s competition, sure—but when it’s over, it’s over. No grudges. No drama. It’s genuine."
In fact, "genuine" comes up often when he describes North Cobb’s community. From packed letter-of-intent signings to warm welcomes from faculty and staff, he says the family atmosphere at the school is real.
"They welcomed me with hugs. Not 'Oh, there’s the new guy.' It feels just like family," Coach Fredenburg said.
When he was a student, athletics weren’t a focal point at North Cobb. Powerhouses like Walton, Wheeler, and McEachern dominated. Downtown Kennesaw was little more than a handful of buildings. Swift-Cantrell Park was a cow pasture.
Today, the school and community have been transformed; they've become larger, busier, and more competitive. Although the school and the surrounding area have also grown up, Coach says it still feels the same.
"I’ve always felt safe here," he said. "And it still feels that way."
A Full-Circle Moment
In many ways, Madden is walking a similar path to his dad, though the elder Fredenburg insists the comparisons go only so far. Both have a passion for competition and athletics, but it took the Coach a little longer to appreciate the value of academics. He admits he did just enough to stay eligible in high school with a singular focus on sports. College changed that.
"I was paying for it with money or my body, so I quickly figured out that my grades were important," Coach said about his college years, where he carried a 4.0 GPA.
Madden is the third of four Fredenburg children, and academics are now a key focus.
"He doesn’t get to follow me in my high school academic path," his father says. "I didn’t really think about grades. It was more like, what’s next? Now, we’re strict about grades."
Madden's oldest sibling, Joseph, serves in the U.S. Navy. His older sister, Addison, attends Florida Institute of Technology. Elise, his younger sister, is a four-time county wrestling champion and an All-County softball player.
The family believed the level of football exposure and competition in Georgia could open more doors for Madden. He decided to join his father in the move north from Cocoa Beach. He liked the idea and the prospect of colder weather.
"I like the battle against the cold," Madden says with a smile. "I don’t necessarily like the cold itself—but I like it better than the Florida heat."
The level of weekly competition in Georgia football has impressed him. Unlike Florida, where powerhouse programs can be concentrated in a few schools, he feels every Friday night here brings a challenge. He wants to pursue football at the next level but hasn't ruled out wrestling.
"Wrestling is one of the hardest lifestyles a human can have," he said. “In college wrestling, you’re traveling all over the country, managing weight, and keeping grades up. I respect it completely, but I’d love to play college football. In wrestling, you're competing on your own on the mat, but I like the team aspect of football. Playing in front of 100,000 people would be pretty cool."
The pride the coach and father has for his son is obvious, but he recognizes that Madden has to put in the work. He hopes all of his children continue to grow in both character and opportunity. And he hopes the community that shaped him will shape Madden.
"I can point him to the water, but he has to drink," Coach said.
For a man whose picture from 1991 is displayed in the school's trophy case and whose jersey has been retired, Coach Fredenburg is optimistic and realistic about the future. The story of the Fredenburg name at North Cobb continues to be written, but the pen is now in the hands of the next generation.
