Welcome back to The Huddle, our notes & trends column for North Carolina high school football.

Today, I wanted to take a quick dive into the 2025 head coaching changes – the ones that have happened so far and the ones that are to come.

Here are some thoughts on the early hires, best remaining openings, and potential names who could get head coaching jobs at some point.

As a refresher, here’s our tracker of the head coaching changes:

1st Down: Thoughts on the Early Hires

In alphabetical order:

• Central Cabarrus: Donnie Kiefer – The Vikings brought back Kiefer, who is a graduate of the school and has coached at a dozen programs. He told South Carolina media that he was retiring before he took this job, so I’m wondering how long term of a solution this is for Central. Central Cabarrus did win some games the first time he went back to be the head coach.
• East Gaston: Nate Medici – He’s a very young head coach, but it’s always nice to see a former player come home to lead his old program. You can imagine Medici staying there to grow the program for a while.
• Fairmont: Scott Loosemore – Loosemore deserved another chance at being a head coach and he seems ready to invest himself into the rebuild at Fairmont. Before the 2020s, Fairmont was a regular winner or .500 team.
• Forbush: Logan Holder – It was widely expected that the son of former Mount Airy leader Kelly Holder would get a head coaching job, and it was Forbush that decided to give him his first opportunity to lead the program. The next generation of hires for these historic Northwest NC programs has gone well so far – Austin Taylor at Mount Airy and the Pardues at East Surry/Starmount – have gone very well so far.
• Garinger: Jupiter Wilson – Frankly, this is an amazing hire for Garinger. The former UNC player won some games at Hickory Ridge and was also a successful coach for the girls basketball and track programs. The Garinger football coach has been like the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry Potter – there’s a new one every year. The Wildcats needed someone who wants to invest himself in a multi-year project. Wilson raises the floor of the team instantly and could make some long term change as far as the belief of the students who live in the area.
• Hickory Ridge: Brandon Gentry – Gentry will have a chance to work with some athletes that are more similar to those that were at his strong Northwest Cabarrus teams in the late 2010s. Hickory Ridge should have a couple of star seniors coming back.
• Pamlico County: Brandon Akins – The coach has a lot of experience coaching along the NC coast. He was an assistant at Jacksonville for a decade and spent the past four years learning from a host of former head coaches while on the staff at Havelock.
• Providence Grove: Cody Moran – Moran was already involved with the program and the school’s athletic director, so the transition should be smooth. Anything that can prove to provide stability for Providence Grove would be good for the school as the Patriots have not had it since Calvin Brown went to Asheboro.
• Southwest Onslow: Zach Garvey – This hire reminds me of the Will Bland hire at J.H. Rose. Southwest had a lot of outside interest, but the Stallions went with the in-house JV coach, who was having a great deal of success on that level (which didn’t exactly translate to varsity).
• Trask: Ty Lovette – He is on the younger side, but Ty Lovette knows how to be a head coach thanks to being raised by David Lovette, who was a longtime head coach in the 910.
• Washington: Brian Paschal – There are not many ENC coaches who Washington could have chosen with more experience than Pachal, who has been a head coach at a handful of different schools. Washington won some impressive games last year, so the program can still pack a punch. Maybe Paschal can put together a few strong years here as a send off to his career.

2nd Down: Best Openings Remaining

In alphabetical order:

• Alexander Central – Any larger school that has a lock on its entire county will pique the interest of coaches. In the second draft of the new conferences, there is an opportunity for Alexander to regularly host 6A playoff games.
• Chambers – It was not long ago that Chambers was a power in this state’s top classification. The Cougars will have an opportunity to become that once again in the Big 32 8A. It’s a good attendance zone, but talent in Charlotte has been known to accumulate together wherever it is hot to be at the moment. A personable coach with credentials could keep the talent at Chambers.
• Christ School – A unique place to coach. The head coach lives on the beautiful campus and gets to coach some very high academic and focused young men.
• Davie County – One of the openings at a high school which is the only in its county, Davie has intrigued some big names. With 1,949 students, Davie will be a 7A school next year. There are some talented players returning next year.
• Felton Grove – The brand-new Wake County high school has a weird mascot, but with its location, it will be home to some of the better athletes at Middle Creek, Apex, and Apex Friendship High Schools.
• Martin County – It will take someone who is an ENC person at heart, but Martin’s prognosis over the next couple of years is very good. The Gators are very talented and don’t have to worry about other high schools in the county absorbing the athletes.
• McDowell – Pretty much any school that owns its own county will make this list as long as I’m doing it. As the only 7A around, McDowell will be the only of its kind in a conference. Under the current way we do playoff qualification, it would have a pretty easy shot at getting a first round game each year.
• Montgomery Central – Like Martin County, Montgomery recently consolidated its schools into one building, allowing all of the athletes from within the county lines to play together. This school arguably has the best athletic facilities in North Carolina and the Timberwolves are said to have paid pretty well for past coaches.
• Mountain Heritage – Joey Robinson turned the program into a power over his time leading it, so whoever takes the reins has plenty of momentum to build off of. The school has seen athletic success in a variety of sports.
• New Hanover – A program with historic success and a ripe attendance zone. It’s rare when you find an opening at a school with a history and location like New Hanover’s. The opportunity to live in Wilmington is an attraction in its own right.
• North Lincoln – There is tough competition from within the county, but North Lincoln has the ability to produce some strong teams, as we saw last year. Nick Bazzle left this program in a good place and the team returns star running back Shannon Wingate Jr. next fall.
• Pine Forest – This school saw winning seasons with regularity under Bill Sochovka. There are plenty of good athletes in the district and the Trojans will have some pretty good seniors next year. This one is expected to have a lot of attention.
• Randleman – The Tigers have a system of coaching that has been very effective for a long time. It is up in the air if they’ll keep the hire in the Randleman family or if they’ll go for an outsider. But no matter what, there should be a good support system internally and a strong community surrounding the team.
• Seaforth – Some people thought Seaforth would already have blown up, but there’s still a high probability that it will still happen. The school has seen rapid success in most sports, including championships. Chatham County is exploding with new homes and people. The gigantic Chatham Park project in Pittsboro could spill over into Seaforth territory and people continue to overflow from the richest area of Wake County.
• Topsail – For a lot of the same reasons as New Hanover, Topsail is a job that will have a lot of attention. It’s arguably North Carolina’s most beautiful district to live in and there are over 2,000 students. It does not have the same level of athlete as a New Hanover, though.

3rd Down: Coaches Who Could be Hired

Former head coaches who I think could get another head coaching job:

• Jamie Bolton – Previously the head coach at Cannon School, Bolton left to be the offensive coordinator at Kings Mountain to reunite with the guys he knew from South Carolina. Bolton would be a good option if he wants to get back into holding the top role somewhere.
• Chris Cogdill – The former coach at CHASE could have suitors in WNC after they saw how the Trojan program was able to grow quickly under him. The results of last season at CHASE weren’t on him – the talent ran out fast.
• Matthew Jenkins – Previously at Hough and Hopewell, Jenkins’ name gets brought up when you discuss new openings in the area. Hopewell is open once again, a reunion would make sense to me. Even if that doesn’t end up being a fit, another job in the area could open within the next number of weeks.
• Mike Natoli – The former coach at Richlands, West Iredell, and Independence didn’t have overwhelming success at those schools, but they did coincide with some lower talent years. What Natoli has done as the offensive coordinator at Hickory cannot be ignored by schools. Many think he deserves another head coach opportunity.
• John Wheeler – Currituck’s head coach from 2009-17 is currently an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UNC Pembroke. If he gets the itch to be a head coach again, he has the credentials to be an attractive option.
• Garrett Wingate – A top coordinator in the state, Wingate has recently helped Northern Nash break through to title contention and flip the Ayden-Grifton program around. He did spend a season leading North Pitt as the interim in 2017. Still in his mid-30s, he could be a home run hire at some point.

Assistants who I think could get the head coaching opportunity this offseason:

• Dontre Brown – The defensive coordinator at Garner is a former ECU defensive lineman. He’s from Fayetteville and could attract interest in that area.
• David J Diamont – The son of famed head coach David Diamont has become a great coach in his own right. Diamont has done good things as the offensive coordinator at Burns in Cleveland County and could find himself at a school more close to his 336 roots.
• Antonio Hall – Dudley’s offensive coordinator has been deserving of a head coach opportunity from some time now. His offenses have put up ridiculous numbers. I think it will happen for him this offseason.
• Captain Munnerlyn – The former Carolina Panther has been an assistant at Myers Park. If he’s interested in becoming a head coach, it would be hard for a school to not see the appeal.

Other assistant coaches who could elevate to a head coach job at some point. These are names that have been shared with me over the years. In alphabetical order.

• Stephan Allard, Southern Wayne assistant
• Craig Amos, Mooresville defensive backs coach
• Brian Andrews, South Point defensive coordinator/former Ashbrook HC
• Christian Bennett, Jesse Carson defensive coordinator
• Zeek Bigger, Ashbrook defensive coordinator
• Ka’Seim Black, A.L. Brown defensive coordinator
• Dylan Blackwell, Anson County co-offensive coordinator
• Matt Bradley, Franklin defensive coordinator
• Matt Brinson, Holmes offensive coordinator
• Will Brown, Grimsley co-offensive coordinator
• Derek Bryant, East Forsyth defensive coordinator/former Graham HC
• Jim Bob Bryant, Leesville Road offensive coordinator/former Havelock HC
• James Cadiz, Terry Sanford defensive coordinator
• Chris Campoleita, Richmond co-defensive coordinator
• Andre Cannon, Butler defensive coordinator
• Joe Capps, Cleveland offensive coordinator/athletic director
• Jake Cardillo, Asheville defensive coordinator
• Torrance Carle, Eastern Alamance co-offensive coordinator
• Jack Carpenter, Montgomery Central defensive coordinator
• Foster Cates, Eastern Randolph offensive coordinator
• Cody Cheek, Asheville run game coordinator/AHC
• Jordan Chevalier, North Brunswick offensive coordinator
• Matt Childers, Bunker Hill defensive coordinator
• Jake Christman, Western Alamance, pass game coordinator/JV HC
• Rasheed Christmas, Harnett Central defensive coordinator
• Curtis Clark, Cox Mill defensive coordinator
• Darrell Clark, Asheville pass game coordinator
• Antwan Clemons, R.J. Reynolds special teams coordinator/JV HC
• Chris Cloninger, Bunker Hill offensive coordinator
• Gunnar Clontz, Mount Tabor offensive coordinator
• Kendall Cobb, Southeast Alamance JV head coach
• Damon Coiro, Providence Day AHC/former Grimsley HC
• Christopher Coleman, West Charlotte offensive coordinator
• Daniel Draughn, North Surry defensive coordinator
• Nick Drew, Cardinal Gibbons defensive coordinator
• Rodman Dunlap, Mount Tabor defensive coordinator
• Matt Eanes, Laney JV head coach
• Bobby Eppenger, Terry Sanford assistant head coach
• Rob Fronk, Apex offensive coordinator
• John Fuller, New Hanover defensive coordinator
• Jason Gay, New Hanover offensive coordinator
• Ryan Giggey, Union Pines wide receivers coach
• Chandler Greer, A.C. Reynolds offensive line coach
• Tyler Hale, Ayden-Grifton defensive coordinator
• Eric Hall, Seventy-First defensive coordinator
• John Hall, Weddington defensive coordinator
• Jonathan Hall, Midway defensive coordinator
• Marcus Hamilton, North Rowan defensive coordinator
• Grant Handy, Asheboro offensive coordinator
• Steven Harris, Scotland offensive coordinator
• Cory Heflin, Providence Day JV head coach
• Jalen Hill, Providence Day tight ends coach
• Mike Holderman, Rolesville offensive coordinator/former HC at East Chapel Hill
• Jamie Hornsby, Atkins defensive coordinator
• Coraey Houser, New Hanover defensive backs coach
• Wesley Jackson, Salisbury defensive coordinator
• Josh Jenkins, Fike defensive coordinator
• Hunter Jenks, Wake Forest offensive coordinator
• Ricardo Jerome, Nash Central linebackers/defensive line coach
• David Johnson, Lake Norman defensive coordinator
• James Johnson, Pinecrest defensive coordinator/former HC at West Stanly
• Caleb King, Havelock offensive coordinator
• John Law, offensive coordinator
• Britt Leggett, Marvin Ridge run game coordinator/OL coach
• Bill Liedy, Cardinal Gibbons offensive coordinator
• Donald Littlejohn, West Charlotte quarterbacks coach
• Michael Macaluso, Willow Spring defensive coordinator
• Daome Mallory, Perquimans defensive coordinator
• Gil Maxwell, Oak Grove DC/former Alleghany, Ledford, & Thomasville HC
• Chris McLean, Southern Lee defensive coordinator
• Ian McLemore, South Rowan JV head coach
• Kemp McSween, Richmond run game coordinator
• Jason Moore, Salisbury offensive coordinator
• Antwon Murchison, Union Pines defensive coordinator
• Ian O’Shea, Apex Friendship defensive coordinator
• Perry Owens, Holmes quarterbacks & defensive line coach
• Ty Parker, Western Alamance defensive coordinator
• Drew Piscopo, Ashe County offensive coordinator
• Jared Pope, Mountain Heritage defensive coordinator
• Brandon Poteat, Willow Spring offensive coordinator
• Adam Puritza, Hoggard offensive coordinator
• Dock Ragland, Chapel Hill defensive coordinator
• DJ Rankin, Independence defensive coordinator
• Mark Raynor, Southern Guilford defensive coordinator/former Northeast Guilford HC
• Dillon Reeves, Starmount co-defensive coordinator
• Paul Regan, North Lincoln defensive coordinator
• Joe Reinheimer, Western Alamance offensive coordinator
• Ben Rhodarmer, Pisgah defensive coordinator
• Donnie Richards, Havelock JV head coach
• Joe Rigsbee, Grimsley defensive coordinator
• Jared Rolfes, Oak Grove offensive coordinator/former NWG & Page HC
• Jake Routh, Randleman secondary coordinator
• Kobey Rudisill, Asheville quarterbacks coach
• Noah Rutledge, Apex JV head coach
• Derrick Savage, White Oak offensive coordinator/AHC
• Seth Sandlin, East Duplin defensive coordinator
• Chris Schidmt, Topsail defensive coordinator
• Adam Scronce, Wallace-Rose Hill offensive coordinator
• Zach Searcy, East Rutherford offensive coordinator/AHC
• Spencer Shaw, Richmond co-defensive coordinator
• Brandon Simmons, Southeast Raleigh co-offensive coordinator
• Cory Smith, Weddington quarterbacks coach/former Forest Hills HC
• Brandon Sneed, Mallard Creek offensive line coach
• Kyle Stevens, Holly Springs defensive coordinator
• John Stokes, T.C. Roberson defensive coordinator
• Tripp Stone, Indian Land (SC) associate head coach/strength coordinator
• Arron Strickland, Enloe offensive line coach
• DJ Summers, Holly Springs assistant coach
• David Sundheim, Pinecrest offensive coordinator
• Ian Tatum, Walkertown offensive coordinator
• Steven Thurston, North Rowan offensive line coach
• Brian Terwilliger, Rockingham County offensive coordinator/former Western Guilford HC
• Jesse Tripp, Grimsley co-offensive coordinator
• Jordan Vann, Terry Sanford offensive coordinator
• Justin VanWegen, Farmville Central defensive coordinator
• Jake Walker, North Lincoln offensive line coach
• Lamel Ward, J.H. Rose JV head coach
• Adam Webber, Independence linebackers coach
• Joe Welliver, Hoggard defensive coordinator
• Jalen Wiley, Apex Friendship offensive coordinator
• Chavis Williams, Asheville JV head coach/wide receivers coach
• Robert Williams, West Charlotte defensive coordinator
• Josh Wilson, Princeton defensive line coach/former HC at East Rutherford
• Jonathan Winkler, Draughn defensive coordinator
• Andy Woolcock, Wilson Prep defensive coordinator
• Ashad Yeoman, Ashley defensive coordinator/former Laney head coach
• Garrett Young, East Lincoln quarterbacks coach

Quick Hits

• Speculation: The new Felton Grove High School in Wake County’s openings at athletic director and head football coach have a chance of being filled by current football coaches from within Wake County. If something like that happens, it could fill one opening in Wake but open another.
• Watch for this: Something we are monitoring is the development of the football programs at some of the charter schools. Schools like Uwharrie Charter, Lincoln Charter, and others are planning to jumpstart a football program. Others like North East Carolina Prep have had a program in the past and could be looking to start it up again. When these programs decide to go for football, it is important to see who they can pull in to be the head coach. We’ve seen instances very recently where these charter schools can get good fast, but is it sustainable? Some of these schools have had fast coaching changes.
• Opinion: Former Martin County and Clayton head coach Hunter Jenks is set to be the offensive coordinator at Wake Forest High School. Jenks is a Wake Forest alum. Coach Lucas is dead set on getting the Cougars back to the heights of just a few years ago, and this Jenks hiring is a very good step to make that happen.
• Speculation: Knightdale head coach Randy Ragland left the school. I would not be surprised to see him to pop up in another role soon.
• Rumor: The Apex job piqued the interest of current head coaches in the Triangle. Whether or not they got seriously involved is a question.
• Rumor/speculation: A huge potential development in Pitt County to watch is the impending opening at county athletic director. Rob Maloney is set to retire soon. A couple of people who would make sense to me to take that job over would be the current head football coaches at South Central (Chris Cherry) and Ayden-Grifton (Paul Cornwell). Both of those coaches have not only won a ton of games, but they have the necessary administration experience. I’m not sure if either are interested, but if they are it would create a new football opening in Pitt County.
• Opinion: In speaking of Pitt County, you have to like D.H. Conley getting Matt Taylor back on its staff after his stint leading Washington. He led the Pam Pack to some big wins last season.
• Rumor: the Montgomery Central job has a lot of interest – from some successful names.
• Opinion: If I was leading a search in the Triad, I’d take a serious look at the Grimsley coordinators. These guys (Joe Rigsbee – defensive coordinator, Jesse Tripp & Will Brown – offensive coordinators) should get a shot one day. Grimsley is arguably the best coached team in North Carolina and each of them could be in the game for a while.
• Rumor: Randleman reached out to legendary Reidsville coach Jimmy Teague about its opening. But Teague has seemed content as an assistant for his son Erik’s Ram teams. Hard to imagine him ending up there, but crazier things have happened.
• Opinion: A school with an opening in the 704 should take a hard look at Chris Amill from Corvian Community. His coaching performance on the road in the playoffs last fall was spectacular. You have to wonder what he could do with a 7A or 8A team.
• Speculation: I think a couple of more openings could happen in the 252 this offseason.