Former Georgia linebacker suspended from coaching in Alabama
Former Georgia football linebacker Jake Ganus, now coach at Pell City High in Alabama, has been suspended by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
The AHSAA announced late Wednesday that Ganus and Pell City would face sanctions for recruiting violations. The AHSAA did not specify what actions led to the decision.
Ganus is not permitted to coach in the AHSAA for the upcoming season. Additionally, Pell City will be barred from the 2026-27 postseason.
Ganus, who played for Chelsea High School in Alabama, took over at Pell City in December on the heels of leading Moody High to a state championship.
Ganus was already serving AHSAA sanctions after an incident of flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct, according to the Trussville Tribune. The disciplinary action was handed down “after photos surfaced showing players and some staff members smoking cigars” in the locker room after Moody’s title win. Ganus was prohibited from coaching the first game of the 2026-27 football season.
Ganus played for Georgia in 2015 after transferring from UAB, which had announced it was shuttering its football program at the time.
About the Author
Caitlyn Stroh-Page is the senior sports editor high school sports and college football at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Her resume includes stops at Sports Illustrated Kids, Scout.com, The (Macon) Telegraph, the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader and the Athens Banner-Herald. A South Georgia native, Stroh-Page lives in the Athens area.
