Several head coaching positions are available at some appealing high school football programs across the country.
After Josh Niblett resigned as head coach of
Gainesville (Ga.) on Tuesday for a coaching opportunity at the University of Colorado, the Red Elephants quickly found a successor in former
Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) head coach Santavious Bryant, the school announced on Thursday. Bryant previously served as defensive backs coach at Gainesville during its Georgia state championship appearance in 2022.
Bryant led Grayson to a GHSA 6A state championship in 2024 and went 37-5 in his three-year tenure with the Rams, who are now in search of a new head coach heading into 2026.
Another high-profile team in search of a head coach this offseason is
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas). Previous head coach and alum Riley Dodge announced Dec. 24 that he was accepting an opportunity at Southern Methodist University.
Dodge was the inaugural MaxPreps National Player of the Year in 2006 after leading the Dragons to a state championship three-peat. He returned to coach his alma mater in 2018 and went 107-10 with two state title game appearances.
Former Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge has taken a role with the Southern Methodist University football program. Southlake Carroll is one of several high-profile high school programs in search of a new coach this offseason. (PHOTO: Alex Garza)
An eight-time state champion, Southlake Carroll went 14-1 under Dodge's guidance this fall. The Dragons are expected to return a pair of offensive linemen committed to college football bluebloods in
Tristan Dare (Michigan) and
Luke Wilson (Oklahoma) as well as a receiving core that includes
Brody Knowles and Dez Bryant Jr.
In Utah, Eric Kjar is moving on to lead the program at Weber State after guiding
Corner Canyon (Draper) to six state championships in the last nine seasons. Kjar compiled a 112-10 record with the Chargers that included a 48-game win streak from 2018–21.
Under Kjar, Corner Canyon developed a reputation as a
quarterback pipeline after producing Zach Wilson and Jaxson Dart. The Chargers are expected to return a promising defensive front that includes
Manase Brown and
Andy Paiva as well as junior defensive back
Deisel Dart Ray Gates, the 2024 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year, has left
North Crowley (Fort Worth, Texas) for a role at the University of North Texas after a four-year stint that saw him compile a 54-5 record and the program's first state crown since 2003.
North Crowley went 12-2 this season and has plenty of talent to work with if Gates' replacement can keep it there.
One of the most storied programs in California,
Long Beach Poly (Long Beach), is looking for a new head coach after Justin Utupo was let go for allegedly violating CIF bylaws involving transfer eligibility for seven players.
Long Beach Poly, which has 19 Southern Section championships in its trophy case, went 5-5 in 2025. Georgia-committed cornerback
Donte Wright Jr. and fellow four-star defensive back
Julius Johnson are a good place to start with getting the tradition-rich program back on its feet.
Read on for a look at other notable programs in search of new head coaches and a few that have already made splashy hires.
Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.)Former coach: Hardy Nickerson
Years at school: 2010–13, 2022–25
Record: 60-35
Appeal: In 2025, the Dragons won their first state championship since 2016.
Top returners: ATH
Lamar Ellis (2027), ATH
O.C. Lehner (2027), ATH
Bryan Edwards (2028)
Brunswick (Ga.)Former coach: Garrett Grady
Years at school: 2022-25
Record: 36-10
Appeal: Seven straight playoff appearances, including wins in each of the past three postseasons.
New coach: Bryon Slack. Formerly the head coach at Cook County, going 28-21 over past four seasons.
Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)Former coach: Travis Roland
Years at school: 2024–25
Record: 13-8
Appeal: Three AAAAA state championships since 2003.
Former coach: Patrick Nix
Years at school: 2020-25
Record: 65-14
Appeal: Three-time state champion, including a 7A title in 2023 with 10 regional titles in the past 12 seasons.
Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte, N.C.)Former coach: Keith Emery
Years at school: 2024-25
Record: 16-8
Appeal: A program that has produced eight state championships.
New coach: Mike Brodowicz. Had a previous stint with Charlotte Catholic from 2014–22, where he went 110-15 with five state championships.
New coach: Santavious Bryant. Previously led Grayson to a state championship in 2024. Served as Gainesville's defensive backs coach during the Red Elephants' state championship appearance in 2022.
Former coach: Santavious Bryant
Years at school: 2023-25
Record: 37-5
Appeal: A heavyweight program in Georgia that has four 6A state titles, including the 2024 crown under Bryant.
: Victor Santa Cruz
Years at school: 2023–25
Record: 14-18
Appeal: Investment, resources and a spot in the Trinity League, arguably the toughest league in the country.
Top returners: WR
Clark Cokley (2027), EDGE
Godschoice Eboigbodin (2027), QB
Koa Smith-Mayall (2027)
New coach: Hardy Nickerson, a 16-year NFL vet who led Bishop O'Dowd to a state title in December.
Moody (Ala.)Former coach: Jake Ganus
Years at school: 2022-25
Record: 44-10
Appeal: Back-to-back state final appearances, including the program's first championship in 2025.
Top returners: LB
Ba'Roc Willis (2027), CB
Kylan Baker (2027)
Opelika (Ala.)Former coach: Bryan Moore
Years at school: 2024-25
Record: 19-7
Appeal: A resurgent program which reached its first state final appearance since 2016.
Top returners: OL
Darius Whitlow (2027), LB
Tre Stone (2027), QB
Colby Key (2027)
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)Former coach: Andy Stefanelli
Years at school: 2017–25
Record: 63-31-1
Appeal: The program has won six Washington Catholic Athletic Conference state championships since 2009.
Top returners: EDGE
Anthony Sweeney (2027), OL
Jaiden Lindsay (2027), ATH
Markel Long Jr. (2028), LB
Ashton Chiles (2028), EDGE
Ethan Hunter (2028)
New coach: Sal Gorgone, who spent the past 16 years with the program, most recently as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)Former coach: Brooks Oakley
Years at school: 2022–25
Record: 35-12
Appeal: The 2010 national champions accumulated 11 state championships in a 22-year span that included an 89-game win streak from 2003–08.
Top returners: CB
Braylon Key (2027)
Whitehouse (Texas)Former coach: Kyle Westerberg
Years at school: 2021–25
Record: 24-29
Appeal: The alma mater of Patrick Mahomes.
New coach: Brett Gilchrist, a former offensive coordinator at Lone Star, where he helped the Rangers to a 15-1 record and Conference 5A Division 1 championship game appearance in 2025.
Williston (Fla.)Former coach: Robbie Pruitt
Years at school: 2022–25
Record: 39-9
Appeal: Regular trips to the postseason, including playoff wins in three of the past four seasons.
Top returners: S/WR
Maverick Jones (2028), S
Chandler Elkins (2029)
This story was updated on Jan. 8, 2026
Did we miss anyone? Please email nick.pecoraro@playonsports.com.
