Georgia HS football coaching changes: Twiggs County makes hire, South Atlanta opens

Diego Dixon, who was Central Gwinnett's offensive coordinator, posted on X that he had been hired as Alcovy's coach. 

Ashley Harden is headed back to Twiggs County for a second stint coaching the program, he announced on X on Friday.

Harden coached the Cobras in 2015 and 2016. He led the team to its first winning season in seven years in 2016, an 8-4 campaign that included the school's first playoff win since 2009.

Harden left Twiggs County for Northeast in 2017. He coached at Stewart County for a season after that before a one-game stint as Dooly County's head coach in 2019.

Harden out after one game as Dooly County coach

Twiggs County is coming off an 0-10 season, its fourth winless season in the last 10 years. The Cobras haven't won more than two games in a single season since the 8-4 year under Harden in 2016.

South Atlanta is looking for a new football coach after Jeff Franklin announced the change after three seasons.

Franklin’s teams were 13-20 with three first-round playoff appearances and losses.

South Atlanta, opened in 1994, won its only playoff games and region titles in 2020, 2021 and 2022 under coaches Brad Stephens, now at Chapel Hill, and Michael Woolridge, now at Tri-Cities.

South Atlanta is a Class 2A school.

Woodstock has found its next head coach within the program, as it promoted offensive coordinator Justin Pearce to lead the team.

Pearce coached at Woodstock the last two seasons. The Wolverines' offense averaged more than 25 points per game since he took over.

Pearce was a key part of Woodstock's turnaround under former head coach Dan Devine. Woodstock hadn't had a winning season in six years when Pearce joined the staff and had won just 11 total games during that stretch.

The Wolverines had their first winning season since 2018 in 2024, and followed with another winning run last year. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs both years.

Devine left Woodstock for the state of Florida to restart IMG Academy's postgraduate program.

Woodstock football coach leaves to restart IMG’s postgraduate team

“At this time in my life and career, I feel like it’s a good opportunity to get to that next level,” Devine said. “IMG can do that. They’re the best in the country for what they do. I look forward to it. I’ll definitely miss Woodstock. It was a phenomenal place, and I loved it here.”

Coosa announced Jason Howard, a longtime coach in Alabama, as its football coach Tuesday.

Howard had as 134-93 record in his native state, compiled mostly at Spring Garden, where the football field is named for him. His teams won 10 or more games from 2018 until his final season in 2022 and reached the Class 2A semifinals in 2020. 

Howard also was an assistant coach on state championship teams in girls basketball and track and field.

Howard joined Coosa’s staff as a teacher in 2023. He will replace Geoff Cannon, who is now Rockmart’s offensive coordinator. Coosa, a Floyd County school, has not had a winning season since 2017.

Northgate’s football team, coming off one of its best season in years, is looking for a coach for the second time this offseason.

Chaz Ferdinand, hired in mid-February, resigned this week, principal Ashley Wilkes said in a letter to parents and players. No reason was given for his resignation.

Full story HERE. 

Pace Academy has found its next head coach in its longtime offensive line coach, Kevin Johnson. 

Johnson played offensive line at the University of South Carolina before starting to coaching the position at Pace Academy. Johnson coached several elite talents headlined by Miami Dolphins guard Jamaree Salyer and former No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas.

Johnson aims to resurrect an offense that averaged just 12.7 points per game last season. The Knights haven't had a winning season since 2022 and haven't won a playoff game since their state championship season in 2015.

Justin Elder has stepped down as Upson-Lee's head coach after nine seasons leading the program.

Elder compiled a career record of 51-48 and led the Knights to six state playoff appearances and three playoff wins. Upson-Lee had just three playoff wins in its 25 years before Elder was hired.

Elder also coached several Power 4 college players, headlined by former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Travon Walker. Elder's best season came in 2023, when the Knights went 9-3 and made the second round of the playoffs.

Elder played quarterback at nearby Mary Persons and worked as an assistant coach there before taking an assistant role at Upson-Lee.

Upson-Lee is searching for the 11th head coach in program history.

Montgomery County has found a new head coach, according to the school’s website.

Former West Laurens offensive coordinator Gabe Gay took his first head coaching job, and he will lead the Eagles into 2026. Gay also previously coached at East Laurens, Jeff Davis and Montgomery, according to his school profile.

Charlton County announced former Taylor County coach Brandon Byram as the new leader of its program this week.

Bryam led Taylor County for four seasons. He was hired to turn around a program that went 3-6 the year before he arrived, and the Vikings had consecutive seven-win seasons the last two years.

Charlton County is coming off a 6-6 season that ended in the second round of the playoffs. The Indians have reached the postseason the last five years, highlighted by an 8-3 region championship season in 2022.