Darlington’s Atha retiring; Northside-Warner Robins hires Peach County OC

Darlington football coach Tommy Atha announced Tuesday that he would retire at the end of the academic year after 21 seasons as the Tigers’ coach, and Northside of Warner Robins hired Peach County offensive coordinator Ben Bailey as its next head coach.

Atha’s teams won seven region titles and reached the state quarterfinals or better five times. His final team was 11-1. His record was 179-66, and he ranked 15th among active GHSA coaches in victories.

Darlington has had only two coaches since 1986. GACA Hall of Famer Jerry Sharp, who led the Tigers to a 1998 state title and for whom Darlington’s stadium is named, was the other.

Northside turned to Bailey to replace Chad Alligood, who was 21-15 in three seasons and 7-5 in 2022. Bailey was Houston County’s offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021 and previously worked on Lee County’s staff.

The Darlington opening is the 54th among GHSA schools this offseason, and the Northside hire is the 17th to be filled. Many have taken place in the past week.

Cairo has hired David Coleman, its interim coach last season, as full-time coach.

Chattahoochee County has hired Suwanee, Fla., offensive coordinator Josh Jacobson to replace Ryan McKenzie, who was 5-6 in one season.

Jefferson County has promoted offensive coordinator Mario East to replace J.B. Arnold, who retired.

Treutlen has hired South Effingham assistant head coach Pat Collins to replace Steve Versprille at a program that was 0-10 last season. It will be Collins’ seventh school as a head coach, all in southeast Georgia.

Franklin County’s Parker Martin and Redan’s Derek Vaughn won’t return to their jobs next season.

Click here for a complete list of head coaching openings.