Head coaching changes coming at Pickens, Centennial, Pebblebrook

Pickens head coach Chris Parker, who led the school to its first region championship this season, has resigned but will remain as athletics director and take on more school system responsibilities. ''I know when people say they are resigning to 'spend more time with their family' that is not always the case,'' Parker said in a statement. "I can assure you this one is. ... This has been the hardest decision I have made as a professional. I just feel like it's time to put Ellie Kate and Kimberly first and be there for them more. This new job allows me to be able to help all of our athletic programs and do more for all students of Pickens County.'' Parker was 48-28 in seven seasons at Pickens, which was 10-40 in the five seasons before he arrived. Before that, Parker was 26-17 at Chapel Hill, which was 9-31 in the four seasons before him.

Michael Perry, who took Class AAAAAA Centennial to the playoffs the past two seasons, has taken the head-coaching job at AAA East Hall, which was 3-7 in one season under Scott Patrick. East Hall has finished 3-7, 5-5 or 6-4 every season since 2010. Perry's teams were 8-4 and 7-4 at Centennial. Perry was the offensive coordinator at Gainesville from 2011 2015. The 2012 team, led by Deshaun Watson, won the Class AAAAA title.

Kevin Saunders, who led Pebblebrook to three straight playoff appearances, has resigned, saying he wants to spend more time with family. Pebblebrook was 20-23 in Saunders' four seasons. The Falcons hadn't made the playoffs three straight times since 2001-03.