Jefferson football coach Gene Cathcart, whose five-season record was 49-11, resigned Tuesday, and it was announced later in the day he was approved as head coach of Batesburg-Leesville High in his native South Carolina.
Thank you Superintendent Dr. Atkinson, Ass’t Superintendent Ralph Schmidt, Principal Sonya Bryant, A.D. Eric Gambrell+the Lexington Dist 3 BoE for allowing me the opportunity to become a Batesburg-Leesville Panther! 220 Days to WORK together to Restore the Roar ‘till Kick-Off ‘22 pic.twitter.com/G8TVTzjIfn
— Gene Cathcart (@genecathcart4) January 12, 2022
Cathcart’s Jefferson teams reached the Class 4A championship game in 2020, losing to Marist. The 2021 team finished 9-2, losing in the first round to Hapeville Charter. Jefferson spent much of the past season ranked No. 1 but lost momentum after significant injuries to star players Malaki Starks and Sammy Brown, both blue-chip prospects.
Cathcart emailed Jefferson families and boosters with the news Tuesday afternoon.
“I would like to take this opportunity to formally express my sincere appreciation, and utmost gratitude, to the wonderful Jefferson Dragon Football Family & Dragon Nation for the last almost 7 years,’' Cathcart wrote. “I have submitted my resignation as Head Football Coach, and will accept the same position with another program, school & school system. Thank you will never be enough to the genuinely incredible young men, both on and off the field, that I have been so very blessed to serve, as Dragon Football Coach. You have touched my life, and it has been my extreme privilege, and distinct honor, to be your coach, and share a part of your extraordinary lives.”
Cathcart, a Clemson, S.C., native, also has coached at Habersham Central and two South Carolina schools. His overall record is 156-53.
Batesburg-Leesville is between Columbia, S.C., and Augusta. The team won a state title in 2013 and finished 3-4 this past season in Class 2A.
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