In a shocking announcement on Tuesday, Jefferson football coach Gene Cathcart announced his resignation after 7 years as part of the program. Cathcart is coming off a 9-2 season in which the #1-ranked Dragons, who were decimated by injuries, fell in the opening round of the state playoffs.

In 2020, he guided the program to a state championship game appearance as part of a 14-1 season. Over his 5 years as head coach going back to 2017, he was 51-11 overall and 8-5 in the playoffs. He led Jefferson to 2 region titles and a pair of #1 state rankings.

Cathcart, in his announcement to the media below, states that he will be accepting another head coaching job elsewhere. It has been confirmed that the school he is moving to is in South Carolina, at Batesburg-Leesville. The Panthers went 3-4 overall last season, though over the past decade-plus, it has been a powerhouse program that even won a state title in 2013.

Overall, Cathcart sports an impressive resume, complete with a 158-53 career record in 17 seasons between coaching in Georgia and South Carolina. He has a state title and 5 region championships to his credit, and has spent 5 seasons as head coach at Jefferson from 2017-21 (51-11), 1 season at Seneca in 2014 (9-3), 5 seasons at Greenwood from 2009-13 (58-12; state title), and 6 seasons at Habersham Central from 2003-08 (40-27).

Catchcart’s official statement:

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. 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. Thank you to the families of our coaches as well, for the sacrifices you have made to allow your Coach to follow his calling and give so very much to the young people of this exceptional community. Dragon football coaches and staff – you are, and will always be, family, and being able to serve the young people of Jefferson alongside you, and have our lives be intertwined, has meant more to me than words can express. Your brotherhood, loyalty, and living witness will stay with me always. I will forever and always be unflinchingly, and unabashedly proud, of the myriad of accomplishments of our players and coaches, during our venerated time together, collectively writing some truly exceptional chapters in the tradition-rich novel that is the book of Jefferson Dragon football. Thank you to our Dragon football parents for all the support you have given this football family & program, and especially for sharing your greatest life gift with us and entrusting him to our care. The administration, faculty and staff of Jefferson High School – you are the very best of the best, and to serve as an educator with such a distinguished group of gifted servant leaders, has humbled me on a daily basis. Dragon Nation your support has been a source of strength for this program, and myself, and while change is difficult, it is God’s plan for growth, and there are some great and mighty days ahead for Dragon football. Lastly I want Jamie, Addison, Abby and Reames to know with a totality of certainty- how completely, and with all my heart, that I love you all, and how much I look forward to the next steps of our life adventure together, and while again, change can create anxiety – as long as we have each other – we remain “too blessed to be stressed and know it’s never daunting, when we go where the man upstairs is pointing”