Central Georgia High School Football: the coaching carousel

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          One moved only a 100 or so yards away across campus, two others returned to the area after a year somewhere else.
          There were promotions from within, a return to Central Georgia from out of state, and a noteworthy move from one quality Class 5A program to another one not far away.
          About a quarter of Central Georgia's high school football teams have new head coaches.

Dodge County
Ken Cofer
          Was an assistant at Dodge County, went to Wilcox County for a quality playoff season as head coach, returned to replace Rex Hodges, who resigned and ended up becoming Dodge County superintendent.

Dooly County
Ashley Harden
          Corey Jarvis left after one season to take over as head coach at Lithia Springs. Harden is at his third Central Georgia program in four years (Twiggs County and Northeast), and sixth overall in nine (41-52).

GMC
Lee Coleman
          Steven Simpson left to become defensive coordinator at Warren County. Coleman had been on the GMC college staff for several years.

Hawkinsville
Shane Williamson
          Will Conner was released, and is now an assistant at Crisp County. Williamson has been head coach at Swainsboro, Toombs County, Forsyth Central, and Lumpkin County (86-93-2).

Jones County
Mike Chastain
          Justin Rogers left to take over at Colquitt County, and Chastain was hired the first day the job was officially open, leaving Warner Robins after three seasons and two Class 5A state finals trips (29-12).

Lamar County
Jefferey Sloan
          Sloan was promoted after John Flath's mutally agreed departure (Flath is now an assistant at Lee County), and becomes the Trojans' sixth head coach in less than a decade.

Piedmont

Will Johnson was promoted from within.

Rutland
Rusty Easom
          A former co-worker of Justin Rogers at Harris County and Griffin, Easom was the defensive coordinator at East Coweta, and succeeds Mark Daniel, who resigned after three seasons Rutland has lost 23 straight.

Twiggs County
Irade' Perry
          Perry follows Cobra alum Kelvin Blackshear, who left after one 0-10 season in which Twiggs County scored 21 points.

Warner Robins
Marquis Westbrook
          The Crisp County and Florida grad takes over for Chastain, having served as lone or co-defensive coordinator for three years, following a stint at Veterans.

Westfield
Bruce Lane
          Lane is a John Milledge and Georgia College graduate, who has been a head coach in three states, including three in Central Georgia. He went 24-32-1 at Monroe Academy, 3-7 at GMC, and 42-18 at John Milledge, where he coached current head coach J.T. Wall. He replaces Jamey Watson, who went 7-25 in three seasons.

Windsor
Randy Grace
          The school is trying to rejuvenate the athletics program - as well as the school in general - and Grace is a cog. He is 47-68, having been a head coach at Montgomery County, Crisp Academy, Pacelli, Wheeler County, and Baconton Charter.

Editor’s note
          Multiple solicitations for information were sent t0 50 high schools in July with a followup in August. Replies of more than a roster and/or depth chart (two) totaled 19, less than half.
          Inquiries were unsuccessful for ACE, Bleckley County, Covenant, Central Fellowship, Crawford County, Dodge County, Dooly County, Dublin, East Laurens, FPD, Fullington, Gatewood, Hancock Central, Hawkinsville, Lamar County, Monticello, Piedmont, Putnam County, Stratford, Taylor County, Twiggs County, Warner Robins, West Laurens, Westfield, Westside, Wilkinson County, and Windsor.
          For many schools, information is minimal, no there may be new head coaches not listed. Please send information to centralgasports@gmail.com.