The conclusion of the Georgia High School Association football regular season has triggered a significant shuffle in head coaching positions across the state. As the offseason begins, numerous schools are announcing departures and new appointments, reflecting the ongoing instability in the sport’s leadership ranks.
In Rome, the city schools announced that Bill Stewart is no longer the head football coach. The Board of Education approved his release from contract during a meeting on Tuesday. Stewart had been hired in January to replace John Reid, a coach who had won two state championships. Under Stewart’s leadership, the Rome team finished the 2026 season with a record of two wins and eight losses.
Other notable departures include Johnny Teemer, who resigned from Eagle’s Landing High School. Teemer had been with the program since 2023. He announced his departure on social media, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to develop young athletes and build relationships. His overall record over four seasons stood at 15 wins and 26 losses, with the team going winless in the most recent year.
At Northview High School in north Fulton County, Mario Drayton is stepping down as head coach. The school described the parting as amicable after two seasons. Drayton had improved the team’s performance, guiding them to four wins in the 2026 season compared to two wins in 2025 and one win in the year prior to his arrival. The team plays in the 5A classification and utilized a nonregion schedule this year.
Metter High School head coach Lee Shaw announced his retirement on Monday, citing health reasons. Shaw, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017, stated that his symptoms had been manageable until recently. During his career, he won region titles at three different schools and led Flowery Branch and Rabun County to become state contenders. His career record includes 197 victories.
Sean O’Sullivan, the football coach at Pope High School, also announced his resignation on Monday. He plans to remain at the school in a different capacity. O’Sullivan is a graduate of the school and has coached the football team for the past four seasons, accumulating a record of 10 wins and 30 losses.
Tony Lotti resigned from Seckinger High School after four seasons, confirming the news on Wednesday. Lotti took over a program that had just completed its first varsity season with a 0-7 record in 2023. His teams improved over the following years, posting records of 3-7, 6-4, and 6-5, before finishing 1-9 this season after the school moved to the highest classification. Lotti was named the 2022 Atlanta Falcons High School Football Coach of the Year for his off-field impact.
Osborne High School is seeking a new head football coach after Derek Cook’s tenure ended. Cook had been with the program since 2024 and posted a record of 1-9 over three seasons. He previously held coaching positions at Kell and South Cobb high schools. The school posted on Facebook that it is currently accepting applications for the vacant position.
According to AJC Varsity reporter Todd Holcomb, there were 98 coaches new to their programs heading into the 2026 season. This figure highlights the high turnover rate in Georgia high school football. The previous record for the highest number of coaching changes in a single year is 109, which was set in 2017.
