Daily Dive: Longtime assistant Jeremy New promoted to lead Heritage-Catoosa

Jeremy New is ready to make his head coaching debut with the Heritage-Catoosa Generals this Fall and is taking over the program with familiarity after serving as a longtime assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the past 11 seasons. Coach New worked with previous head coach E.K. Slaughter for the entirety of his tenure that began in 2014 until this year when coach Slaughter departed. Coach Slaughter was just the second-ever head coach in the schools historyfollowing the six-year stint of Tim Jameswho took over during the inaugural 2008 season until 2013.

Coach New is just the third head coach to lead the Generals and he says it is a dream come true to have this new role.

I was a defensive coordinator for the last eleven years, said New. Before that I was the offensive coordinator, and Im also an assistant athletic director. Its always been a dream of mine to be a head coach and be able to stay here.

After reaching the playoffs for the first time in 2016Heritage-Catoosa has built a streak of nine-straight postseason appearances that carries into the 2025 campaign. Heritage also has a school-record four-straight winning seasons heading into this fall and the team finished runner-up in Region 7-AAA last year to eventual state champion Calhoun.

Being a part of the programs growth over the last decade-plus is an advantage and so are the relationships that have already been built with the teams top returning stars. This includes safety and running back Brody Jameswho credited coach New with his growth as a key contributor.

Hes a very strong person. When I moved here as a sophomore he welcomed me with open arms and gave me a chance. James also added that he is very confident in the team this season, Im confident that this will be one of our best seasons weve had in a while, especially with Coach New.