New Era for Prince Avenue Football with New Alumni Hire
Jonathan Hooker - July 9, 2026
This offseason, there was a significant change at Prince Avenue Christian High School (Bogart, Ga.). Former head coach Greg Vandagriff resigned to take a coaching job in Tennessee.
Vandagriff led the program to three state championships and compiled an overall record of 107-16 in nine seasons. Offensive coordinator Jon Richt has since been elevated to head coach of this Georgia powerhouse.
For this unexpected change, the thought of a new coach would be a tough transition for the program, but that is not the case for the Wolverines and their new head coach.
“The nice thing is I've been a part of this team for the past four years. The cohesiveness is there between the kids and me.”
Richt is ready to lead the program on a quest for another championship. He has been a coordinator for three championships and is now on the hunt as a head coach.
“We are really excited about it and played a lot of football, especially our skill positions.”
The excitement within the program is felt by players and coaches. With such a talented team and inheriting such a rich culture, change is not much needed.
“ You don’t change a lot of things when you’ve been to state championships over and over, and you put your own twists on it.”
Richt, being a graduate from Prince Avenue (‘08), leading his alma mater is something he takes a lot of pride in doing.
“It is a mix of humility and honor to be a part of a program like this. You are also prideful with the Wolverine on your chest; people know where you play. Just doing the right thing moving forward and having fun with it.”
Having a successful father in the industry, like Mark Richt, can be a blueprint for the younger Richt on how he can implement some of those values in his coaching career.
“The way you go about your business and how you honor the Lord with your time and effort with these kids. How you try to bless these kids and how you grow young men and not only football players,” the younger Richt said.
Hoops Officials Train During the Summer
Jonathan Hooker - July 9, 2026
During the offseason, there is a new opportunity to improve and develop skills before the season begins, and this applies not only to basketball teams but also to referees.
In Statesboro, the camp director, Gene Sherry, has been an official for over 20 years and remains so to this day. He knows that camps are crucial for everyone involved in the upcoming season.
"Camp is all about getting better from referees that've been in the game for two years in or 20 years," Sherry said.
The camp had two parts: one where participants would watch gameplay footage on referees, and the other where they would apply what they learned in film study to their skills and use it on the court during games between the competing teams.
"Trying to create a supportive environment around them and to buy them time to hone up on skills and knowledge of the game," Sherry said about the topic.
The experience of clinicians on site was, at a minimum, referees who have been part of a state championship crew. Others have been part of NCAA crews or professional basketball teams as well.
During halftime, the clinicians would explain what each referee could improve on during the game, and at the end of the game, the clinicians and referees would review their performance and make adjustments for the next game.
The referees had many games to keep improving their skills and mannerisms that will help along the line when the season gets here.
These camps are essential to ensure that no dust needs to be settled when the season starts in November.