Class A Div. II Blog: Panthers alum Rance Morgan named Clinch County head coach

The Clinch County football program has named Rance Morgan its new head coach just three days after Jim Dickerson announced his retirement. Morgan is currently the assistant principal at Clinch County and has experience as an assistant coach at both Clinch and Lanier County. He replaces Dickerson—who served as CCHS head coach for 15 seasons before retiring for the first time in 2019. Coach Dickerson came out of retirement in 2024 and led the Panthers to an 11-2 quarterfinals appearance before this year’s 13-1 run to the state semifinals. Under Dickerson these past two seasons and Don Tison Jr. in 2022-23 the two years prior, Clinch County has been one of the most successful teams in the state of Georgia the last four seasons with a combined 45-8 record. In Dickerson’s 17 seasons at the school, his 176-47-1 record (.788 winning percentage) is the highest winning percentage and most wins out of any head coach in the school’s 74-year history.

“I’m excited to announce that Rance Morgan has officially been named our head football coach, announced Clinch County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lori James Thursday morning. “After spending some time away from football, he’s eager to get back on the sidelines and inspire our players with his passion for the game, all while upholding our proud winning tradition. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong connection with our athletes, fans, and community. Knowing our traditions so well, I have no doubt he’ll lead us to great things this upcoming season.”

Morgan was a three-sport star during his time at Clinch County that was a shortstop and pitcher for the Panthers’ 2003 state championship baseball team and a two-way starter on the 2002 state championship football team. He was an all-state selection in both sports and still shares the school record for career interceptions (16) according to ‘The Clinch County News’. Morgan earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Georgia before transferring to Valdosta State. Clinch County is expected to be one of the top program’s in Class A next season with players like quarterback Traviian Miller and wide receiver Kamarion Johnson returning to the offensive side of the ball and Class of 2027 middle linebacker Kyiis Mingo coming back after posting a team-high 89 tackles this past season.

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