In a surprise move on Tuesday, Jefferson football coach Gene Cathcart resigned as head coach of the Dragons. He’s leaving to accept a job as head football coach at Batesburg-Leesville High School in South Carolina.
Cathcart has been the head football coach at Jefferson High School for five years. During that time, his teams posted an overall record of 52-11, won back-to-back region championships, and finished as the State AAAA Runner-Up in 2020. He also led the football team to a top 100 ranking in the United States and holds the longest winning streak and longest regular-season winning streak in school history.
Coach Cathcart broke the news of his resignation to Jefferson families and boosters in an email on Tuesday afternoon:
“I would like to take this opportunity to formally express my sincere appreciation, and utmost gratitude, to the wonderful Jefferson Dragon Football Family & Dragon Nation for the last almost 7 years,’” Cathcart wrote. “I have submitted my resignation as Head Football Coach, and will accept the same position with another program, school & school system. Thank you will never be enough to the genuinely incredible young men, both on and off the field, that I have been so very blessed to serve, as Dragon Football Coach. You have touched my life, and it has been my extreme privilege, and distinct honor, to be your coach, and share a part of your extraordinary lives.”
“I want to thank Coach Cathcart for his service to our football program. He is an outstanding coach and an even better human being. I sincerely wish that the river is good to him in the crossing,” says Jefferson City Schools Athletic Director Bill Navas.
Before moving to Jefferson, Cathcart spent six years as head coach at Habersham Central. He left in 2009 for a head coaching job in Greenwood, South Carolina. He’s also coached at one other South Carolina school. His overall record is 156-53.
Navas says the search for the next head football coach at Jefferson City Schools will begin immediately.
Cathcart is the second high-profile head coaching departure from Northeast Georgia area schools in recent weeks. Rabun County head coach Jaybo Shaw resigned earlier this month to accept a head coaching job in Wayne County, Georgia.
