High School Sports Blog

List: 23 first-year coaches who picked up first victories at their new schools

Gene Cathcart talks to his Loganville players after a preseason practice on Aug. 9, 2023. Cathcart is in his first season after a successful tenure at Jefferson.
Gene Cathcart talks to his Loganville players after a preseason practice on Aug. 9, 2023. Cathcart is in his first season after a successful tenure at Jefferson.
Aug 30, 2023

Twenty-three first-year head coaches got their first victories with their new schools last week. Most notable was Richmond Academy’s Keenan Grissett. He got the job only two days before the Musketeers’ 51-0 victory over Savannah.

Andrico Hines, Berkmar

Adam Lord, Brentwood

Jeff Phillips, Campbell

Thomas Smith, Dodge County

Chuck Holland, Franklin County

Santavious Bryant, Grayson

Tim Suttles, Hawkinsville

Gene Cathcart, Loganville

Lee Shaw, Metter

Eric Godfree, North Gwinnett

Michael Woolridge, Pebblebrook

Damien Wimes, Redan

Matt Meeks, Robert Toombs

Leroy Hood, Salem

Johnny Garner, Shaw

Brian Dameron, St. Francis

Matt Dobson, Statesboro

Rodney Hackney, Tri-Cities

Brad Wells, Valwood

Rodney Garvin, Vidalia

Octavia Jones, Westover

Robert Walsh, Whitefield Academy

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About the Author

Todd Holcomb covers high school sports across the state. He rejoined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2025 and has worked with the AJC in varying capacities since 1985. He is a co-founder and editor of Georgia High School Football Daily.

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