In significant high school sports action this week, the spotlight turned to FOOTBALL: Coaching changes at top programs. Fans witnessed a standout performance that is generating buzz across the region.
With impressive skill, bryant led Grayson to a GHSA 6A state laurel in 2024 and headed 37- 5 in his three-year tenure with the Rams -- who are at this point in search of a new head mentor going into 2026 In a noteworthy performance, An additional high -profile unit in search of a head apex this offseason is Southlake Carroll (Southlake -- Texas).
Impact on the Season
Demonstrating excellence, previous head skipper and alum Riley Dodge announced Dec. 24 that he existed as accepting an opportunity at Southern Methodist University With impressive skill, dodge remained the inaugural MaxPreps Interstate Player of the Year in 2006 after front-running the Dragons to a state crown three-peat.
With impressive skill, he returned to strategist his alma mater in 2018 and transferred 107- a decad with two state title engagement appearances Demonstrating excellence, former Southlake Carroll head instructor Riley Dodge owns taken a role with the Southern Methodist University football program.
Demonstrating excellence, southlake Carroll is singular of several high-profile secondary institution programs in search of a new summit this offseason. (PHOTO:, leaving a lasting impression, Alex Garza) An eight-time state champion -- Southlake Carroll progressed 14-lone under Dodge's guidance this fall.
Amidst high expectations, as well as a receiving core that includes Brody Knowles and Dez Bryant Jr., the Dragons are expected to return a pair of offensive linemen is heading to college football bluebloods in Tristan Dare (Michigan) and Luke Wilson (Oklahoma) With the eyes of the community watching, in a noteworthy performance, In Utah, Eric Kjar is advancing on to lead the program at Weber State after guiding Corner Canyon (Draper) to six state crowns in the last nine seasons.
In a noteworthy performance, Kjar compiled a 112-a decad all-time juncture with the Chargers that encompassed a 48-tilt W run from 2018–21. In a noteworthy performance, Under Kjar -- Corner Canyon developed a reputation as a quarterback pipeline after producing Zach Wilson and Jaxson Dart.
Demonstrating excellence, the Chargers are expected to return a promising defensive front that includes Manase Brown and Andy Paiva as well as junior defensive prior Deisel Dart Ray Gates -- the 2024 MaxPreps All-encompassing Skipper of the Year -- owns departed North Crowley (Fort Worth -- Texas) for a role at the University of North Texas after a complete stint that witnessed him compile a 54- 5 benchmark and the program's inaugural state crown since 2003 Demonstrating excellence, north Crowley proceeded 12- dual this off-season tenure and maintains plenty of talent to function with if Gates' replacement can preserve it there.
Demonstrating excellence, singular of the most storied programs in California -- Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) -- is looking for a new head top spot after Justin Utupo remained let advance for allegedly violating CIF bylaws involving transfer eligibility for seven players.
With impressive skill, long Beach Poly -- which features 19 Southern Area trophies in its trophy case -- advanced 5- 5 in 2025. Georgia-committed cornerback Donte Wright Jr Demonstrating excellence, and fellow four -star defensive backward Julius Johnson are a good place to begin with getting the tradition-rich program backward on its feet.
Demonstrating excellence, read on for a intend at other notable programs in search of new head coaches and a few that have already developed splashy hires.
Demonstrating excellence, bishop O 'Dowd (Oakland -- Calif.) Former tactician: Hardy Nickerson Years at school: 2010–13 -- 2022–25 All-time juncture: 60-35 Appeal: In 2025 -- the Dragons won their primary state title since 2016. Demonstrating excellence, top returners : ATH Lamar Ellis (2027) -- ATH O.C.
Showcasing great determination, lehner (2027) -- ATH Bryan Edwards (2028) Brunswick (Ga.) Former tactician: Garrett Grady Years at school: 2022-25 Standard: 36-a decad Appeal: Seven straight playoff appearances -- including wins in each of the once three postseasons.
Demonstrating excellence, top returners : DL Chozen Owens (2027) -- WR Waseem Murray (2027) New instructor: Bryon Slack Demonstrating excellence, formerly the head instructor at Cook County -- going 28- 21 throughout throughout four seasons Demonstrating excellence, camden County (Kingsland -- Ga.) Former mentor: Travis Roland Years at school: 2024–25 record: 13- 8 Appeal: Three AAAAA state crowns since 2003.
With impressive skill, top returners : WR Sean Green (2027) -- QB William Jackson (2027) Central (Phenix City -- Ala.) Former instructor: Patrick Nix Years at school: 2020- 25 Standard: 65- 14 Appeal: Three-time state champion -- including a 7A title in 2023 with a decad regional titles in the spanning 12 seasons Interestingly, in a noteworthy performance, Top returners : OL Jatori Williams (2027) -- QB Bobby Coleman (2027) -- WR Mike Bass (2027) Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte -- N.C.) Former tactician: Keith Emery Years at school: 2024-25 Milestone: 16-8 Appeal: A program that possesses produced eight state trophies.
Demonstrating excellence, top returners : DB Alex Broome (2027) -- RB Max Whalen (2028) -- QB Chase Kummer (2027)New strategist: Mike Brodowicz. In, exhibiting high-level talent, a noteworthy performance, Had a previous stint with Charlotte Catholic from 2014–22 -- where he progressed 110-15 with five state titles.
Remarkably, gainesville (Ga.) Former throne: Josh Niblett Years at school: 2022–25 Standard: 45-9 Appeal: Annual extensive runs in the postseason -- including two state finals appearances in the spanning three seasons.
Demonstrating excellence, top returners : QB Kharim Hughley (2027) -- OT Tyler Ford (2027) -- RB Nigel Newkirk (2027) -- OL Bryson Hurt (2027) -- S Jeremiah Proctor (2027) New apex: Santavious Bryant In a noteworthy performance, Previously led Grayson to a state crown in 2024 In, amidst high expectations, a noteworthy performance, The tale existed as furthered by the sentiment that s defensive backs instructor in the Red Elephants.
Grayson, importantly, (Loganville -- Ga.) Former skipper: Santavious Bryant Years at school: 2023- 25 All-time stage: 37- 5 Appeal: A heavyweight program in Georgia that owns four 6A state titles -- including the 2024 crown under Bryant With impressive skill, top returners : OL Jordan Agbanoma (2027) -- EDGE Thaxton Cunningham (2027) -- DL Waylon Wooten (2027) -- EDGE Elijah Tillman (2028) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano -- Calif.) Former skipper: Victor Santa Cruz Years at school: 2023–25 Benchmark: 14-18 Appeal: Investment -- resources and a spot in the Trinity League -- arguably the toughest league in the state In a noteworthy performance, Top returners : WR Clark Cokley (2027) -- EDGE Godschoice Eboigbodin (2027) -- QB Koa Smith-Mayall (2027) New top spot: Hardy Nickerson -- a 16- year NFL vet who led Bishop O'Dowd to a state title in December.
With impressive skill, it remained noted in the event that s primary title in 2025.Top returners: LB Ba Demonstrating excellence, top returners : OL Darius Whitlow (2027) -- LB Tre Stone (2027) -- QB Colby Key (2027) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney -- Md.) Former instructor: Andy Stefanelli Years at school: 2017–25 Standard: 63- 31-lone Appeal: The program features won six Washington Catholic Athletic Conference state laurels since 2009 Demonstrating excellence, top returners : EDGE Anthony Sweeney (2027) -- OL Jaiden Lindsay (2027) -- ATH Markel Long Jr.
(2028) -- LB Ashton Chiles (2028) -- EDGE Ethan Hunter (2028) New skipper: Sal Gorgone -- who spent the once 16 years with the program -- most in new times as the defensive coordinator and assistant head skipper.
Showcasing great determination, in a noteworthy performance, South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) Former pinnacle: Brooks Oakley Years at school: 2022–25 Historic sum: 35-12 Appeal: The 2010 state-wide champions accumulated 11 state crowns in a 22-year span that comprised an 89-clash win sequence from 2003–08 With impressive skill, top returners : CB Braylon Key (2027) Whitehouse (Texas) Former strategist: Kyle Westerberg Years at school: 2021–25 Top historic overall: 24-29 Appeal: The alma mater of Patrick Mahomes.
In a noteworthy performance, Top returners : ATH Malachi Allen (2027) -- LB Jayden Bell (2027) New trainer: Brett Gilchrist -- a former offensive coordinator at Lone Star -- where he helped the Rangers to a 15- lone benchmark and Conference 5A Division lone title engagement appearance in 2025.
To the delight of the hometown crowd, williston (Fla.) Former mentor: Robbie Pruitt Years at school: 2022–25 All-time juncture: 39- 9 Appeal: Standard trips to the postseason -- including playoff wins in three of the outside four seasons.
Demonstrating excellence, top returners : S/WR Maverick Jones (2028) -- S Chandler Elkins (2029) This story existed as updated on Jan. 8 -- 2026 Did we miss anyone? Adding to the narrative, in a noteworthy performance, Please email nick .pecoraro@playonsports.com.
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