First Central Georgia football coaching casualty of 2021: Stephens out at ACE Charter
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Jason Stephens expected the video review and Monday’s practice to lead to some changes after his ACE football team was hammered 48-0 by FPD in the Macon Touchdown Club Kickoff Classic.
As it turned out, the Gryphons second-largest margin of defeat – matched by losses to Tattnall and Hancock Central – was Stephens’ last defeat as ACE’s first head coach.
After a meeting with athletics director Josh McLendon and head of school Laura Perkins around lunchtime Monday, Stephens handed in his resignation.
Defensive coordinator Sam Zanders will take over as interim head coach, with quarterbacks coach Thomas Darrah taking over as offensive coordinator, formerly handled by Stephens.
McLendon replied Tuesday morning to a Monday night email inquiry from The Sports Report with a phone call to confirm the change. He had sent out a letter to parents Monday announcing the decision.
“Coach Jason Stephens has tendered his resignation as the Head Varsity Football Coach, effective immediately. Coach Sam Zanders has accepted the interim Head Varsity Football Coach position at this time, and Thomas Darrah will be assuming the responsibilities of the Offensive Coordinator.
“Coach Stephens joined our staff in 2016 and began laying the foundation for our football program. On behalf of the Academy for Classical Education and Gryphon Nation, I would like to thank Coach Stephens for his dedication to our athletes, both on and off the field.”
McLendon admitted that the 48-0 loss was disconcerting and indicated a fresh start might be necessary.
“I think we have a good foundation going for the future,” said McLendon, also the Gryphons’ head softball and head baseball coach. “We want to excel in everything we do: academics, athletics, fine arts.”
Stephens was the program’s first head coach, and went 9-19 in three varsity seasons and one game.
ACE competes in GHSA Region 7-A Public, and hosts Rutland this week. The Gryphons went 1-4 last year in their first season of region play.
Stephens graduated from Westside in 2007 and went on to play at Miles, an SIAC school in Birmingham, Ala.
He got his Masters at Ashford University, an online college. McLendon said Stephens will remain as a teacher – physical education and weightlifting – as of now.