Shaw football coach Al Pellegrino dies
Al Pellegrino, the athletic director and football coach at Shaw High in Columbus, died Monday while in Florida, the Muscogee County School District announced Tuesday. No cause of death was given. He was 56.
“The leadership and guidance Coach Pellegrino brought to the Shaw High School community and Muscogee County will be missed,” county athletic director Jeff Battles said in a statement. “Muscogee County School District would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to Coach Pellegrino’s family during this time.”
Pellegrino was on vacation in Orlando, according to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
Pellegrino was a head football coach at seven schools that include Shaw (since 2017), Heritage in Conyers (2004-06), East Hall in Gainesville (2000-02), Savannah (1999) and Sycamore, Ripley and Lake County in Tennessee (2007-15). Lake County, in Tiptonville, Tenn., was Pellegrino’s alma mater.
Pellegrino often took on some of the tougher coaching jobs. His head-coaching record was 82-107 in 17 seasons.
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.
