Gainesville (Ga.) surprised the Georgia football landscape Tuesday announcing Josh Niblett was stepping down as the Red Elephants' head coach.
Niblett led Gainesville to a 45-9 record over four seasons that included Georgia High School Association state finals appearances in 2022 and 2025. A press release by the school said Niblett's depature was to "pursue an opportunity at the collegiate level."
Gainesville High School announced Tuesday in a press release that Josh Niblett was stepping down after four seasons as the Red Elephants' head coach. Niblett led Gainesville to two state finals appearances during his tenure. (PHOTO: Cecil Copeland)
"Coach Niblett's impact on our program, our school, and our community
over the last four years cannot be overstated," Gainesville
Athletic Director Adam Lindsey said. "He
brought a championship culture and a tireless work ethic every single
day. While we are sad to see him go, we are incredibly grateful for the
foundation he has built and wish him and his family nothing but the best
as they begin this next chapter."
In March, University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders published a post on X (formerly Twitter) praising Niblett's qualifications while showing photos of the two sitting side by side at the university's facilities.
Gainesville and the Georgia High School Association were embroiled in a legal dispute during the postseason. The GHSA ruled 39 players ineligible to play in the team's quarterfinal matchup against
Langston Hughes (Fairburn) for leaving the sideline during a Nov. 21 altercation against
Brunswick. Gainesville sought and received a court injunction that temporarily overruled the GHSA's suspensions, deeming all 39 players eligible to play in a 40-32 win that helped the Red Elephants march toward their second state championship appearance under Niblett's tenure.
Gainesville becomes part of — and perhaps now leads —
a growing list of notable programs with head coaching vacancies heading into the 2026 offseason that includes
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) and
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah).
Gainesville finished 2025 at 12-3 and as the No. 41 team in the country according to MaxPreps final football rankings. The Red Elephants return Clemson commit at quarterback
Kharim Hughley, three-star running back
Nigel Newkirk and three-star offensive linemen
Tyler Ford and
Bryson Hurt.
