Newton offensive coordinator Skelton promoted to head coach

Newton promoted offensive coordinator Josh Skelton to head coach Friday, bringing to 32 the number of offseason GHSA football hires. There have been 67 openings.

Skelton has been on Newton’s staff since 2012. It has been his only employer since leaving Jacksonville State. The former cornerback also played at Stephenson in DeKalb County.

Newton was 6-5 last season and 21-20 in four full seasons under Camiel Grant.

The biggest coaching news this week was the resignation of Parkview’s Eric Godfree to take another unnamed head-coaching job. Godfree had coached at his alma mater the past nine seasons and won two region titles.

A few other jobs came open or were filled.

Ringgold promoted its offensive coordinator, Austin Crisp, to replace the retiring Robert Akins, who led the program the past 16 seasons.

Liberty County named Tony Glazer its full-time coach. Glazer worked as interim coach last season. The Panthers were 7-5 last season after the death of longtime coach Kirk Warner.

North Springs is open. Jeff Phillips’ teams were 1-9 and 4-6 after an 0-8 finish with another coach in 2020.

Kenderrick Bonner has resigned at Johnson of Savannah. The Atomsmashers were 5-5 last season, their first non-losing season since 2009. Bonner was 17-31 over five seasons after inheriting a program on a 24-game losing streak.

Cedric Jackson won’t return at New Manchester. The Jaguars won their first region title in 2020 under Jackson but were 0-10 in 2022.

Click here for a complete list of head coaching openings.