Warner Robins hires Sams; offseason openings hit 75
Warner Robins named Rome offensive coordinator Shane Sams as football coach Tuesday, bringing to 45 the number of GHSA offseason hires. There have been 75 openings.
Sams is a former Warner Robins quarterback who was the Demons’ offensive coordinator during state runner-up appearances in 2017 and 2018. That’s when Warner re-emerged as a state power with record-setting offenses led by quarterback Dylan Fromm.
Sams left Warner Robins to become Centennial’s coach in Fulton County for one winless season, then returned to his hometown to join rival Northside’s staff in 2020. Sams has been Rome’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Rome was 12-2 and averaged 36.9 points per game in 2022.
Sams, a 2008 Warner Robins graduate, replaces Marquis Westbrook, who won two state titles in his four seasons. Westbrook left for Peach County last month.
Several other schools have made coaching changes in recent days.
On Tuesday, Apalachee promoted defensive coordinator Mike Hancock to replace Tony Lotti, who became head coach at Seckinger in Gwinnett County.
On Monday, Sandy Creek’s Brett Garvin filed his retirement papers after leading the Patriots to the Class 3A championship. Garvin coached at Sandy Creek for 22 seasons, the past six as head coach.
Johns Creek has hired Cambridge defensive coordinator Jim Rowell to replace Drew Connell. The Gladiators were 2-8 in Connell’s lone season.
Statesboro has hired North Forsyth offensive coordinator Matt Dobson to replace six-year coach Jeff Kaiser. Statesboro has not had a winning season since 2013.
Paulding County has hired South Paulding coach Eric “Sumo” Robinson to replace Umbrah Brown, who left to become coach at Central in Carroll County.
Salem has hired Pebblebrook coach Leroy Hood to replace Jarrett Laws, who took the job at Central of Macon.
Efrem Hill has stepped down at Discovery and is expected to take another job in the Gwinnett County school system.
Click here for a complete list of head coaching openings.