Central Georgia Sports ReportComment

FYI Friday: A potpourri, a gumbo of items you can win bets with, or just be happy to be smarter after reading: Central Georgia's winningest HS football coaches

Central Georgia Sports ReportComment
FYI Friday: A potpourri, a gumbo of items you can win bets with, or just be happy to be smarter after reading: Central Georgia's winningest HS football coaches

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          Welcome to The Central Georgia Sports Report’s new feature: FYI Friday.

Every Friday (or a day or two later), during the visit you should make every day to The Sports Report to gain knowledge, come get specific information on specific topics, answers to questions you didn’t know you had, but answers you’re glad to get.

          If you like being smarter, welcome.

                  Record-keeping isn’t easy, and many schools in Georgia – past and present, covering a spectrum – didn’t and don’t do a good job.

          The Georgia High School Football Historians Association website is a state treasure in that regard, despite a lot of laziness from schools over the decades.

          Nevertheless, it’s the record-keeper of record for football in the state, and rarely are there missteps, based on available information.

             All that said, who are Central Georgia’s winningest head coaches? Here are the top 10 (based on wins) entering the season, with record, winning percentage, state championships, and region championships. It includes two new coaches who are making their Central Georgia debuts this season.

          Coaches who have spent the majority of their careers in the GISA/GIAA are denoted with an asterisk, because of the vast disparity in overall competition as well as the difference in rules and structure of the GHSA and GISA/GIAA. ** Denotes a career in both associations

          For those ranked in winning percentage, five years as a head coach are required.

Head coaches by wins
1. Roger Holmes, Dublin                        206-74-1    73.5 percent
2. Steven DeVoursney, Veterans           182-68-0    72.8
(first season in Central Georgia)
3. Chad Campbell, Westfield **           182-47-0    79.5
* Bruce Lane, Trinity Christian           177-122-1  59.2
(Georgia record only, is 250-162-1/60.7 pct. overall)
* J.T. Wall, John Milledge                    152-24-0    86.4
4. Jesse Hicks, East Laurens                136-115-0  54.2
5. Spoon Risper, Westside                    116-64-0    64.4
6. Brian Nelson, Mary Persons             110-46-0    70.5
7. Ashley Henderson, Jasper Co. ** 102-51-0   66.7
* Jeff Ratliff, Gatewood                         100-50-0    66.7
8. Von Lassiter, Bleckley County          95-45-0      67.9
9. Robert Edwards, Washington Co.    91-73-0      55.5
10. Jarrett Laws, Central                        76-105-0    42.0

Head coaches by winning percentage
*J.T. Wall, John Milledge                     152-24-0    86.4 percent
1. Chad Campbell, Westfield **           182-47-0    79.5
2. Boone Williams, Northside              63-17-0      78.7
(first season in Central Georgia)
3. Marquis Westbrook, Peach County 65-18-0      78.3
4. Roger Holmes, Dublin                      206-74-1    73.5
5. Steven DeVoursney, Veterans 182-68-0    72.8
(first season in Central Georgia)
6. Brian Nelson, Mary Persons              110-46-0    70.5
7. Kevin Smith, Perry                              68-30-0      69.4
8. Von Lassiter, Bleckley County          95-45-0      67.9
*Barney Hester, Tattnall **                    340-167-9  66.8
9. Ashley Henderson, Jasper Co. **     94-47, 66.7
*Jeff Ratliff, Gatewood                            95-44, 66.7
10. Jeremy Wiggins, Northeast             54-29-0      65.1