Daily Dive: New head coaches take over major programs

With the 2025 football season fast approaching, the state’s new head coaches are preparing for their first games with their new programs. Each team carries new expectations, many of which are higher than in years past.

Four teams that reached the state finals last season will be under new leadership this fall. In Class 2A, Carver-Columbus lost head coach Pierre Coffey late in the offseason but brought in legendary alum Jarvis Jones to take over. Private school state champion Hebron Christian won its first-ever title but lost head coach Jonathan Gess. The Lions replaced him with veteran coach Kenny Dallas, who won a state championship at Trinity Christian just five years ago. Langston Hughes also underwent a major change, losing one of the state’s top coaches in Daniel Williams. The Panthers filled the role with former Berkmar head coach Andrico Hines. At Prince Avenue Christian, legendary head coach Greg Vandagriff stepped away, and longtime offensive coordinator Jon Richt was promoted to lead the program, ensuring continuity.

Overall, very few coaches left for new jobs during the off season. However, many of the openings were high-profile positions, and the coaches involved were either big-name coordinators or established head coaches. Alongside those big moves, several smaller or non-traditional football programs also brought in new leadership. While these schools may not carry the same expectations as the state’s traditional powers, they present unique challenges.

Most coaches start their careers at small schools, where building a program from the ground up is part of the job. These opportunities often shape the best coaches, and occasionally, those struggling programs become the next powerhouse. Take Milton, for example. In the first 67 seasons of Eagles football, the program made it past the first round just once. Then, in 2017, the school hired Adam Clack. In just one year, he transformed Milton into a state powerhouse. Since 2018, the Eagles have won three state championships.

In addition to the four finalists, several other major programs across the state are also entering 2025 under new management, including:

School-New Coach

Appling County-Tucker Pruitt

Brookwood-Chad Nighbert

Dutchtown-Kevon Glenn

Elbert County-Andy Dyer

Fitzgerald-Wesley Tankersley

Flowery Branch-Michael Perry

Irwin County-Larry Harold

Jones County-Justin Montgomery

Marietta-Cameron Duke

Norcross-Corey Richardson

Northside-Warner Robins-Daniel Williams

Parkview-Adam Clack

Rabun County-Rance Gillespie

Roswell-Jonathan Thompson

Stephens County-Thomas Flowers

Westminster-Nelson Stewart

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