Head coaches with the longest waits before winning first title

Gainesville coach Bruce Miller is in his 26th season as a head coach. Lovejoy’s Al Hughes and Norcross’ Keith Maloof are in their 17th seasons. None has won a state title. Below is a list of Georgia coaches who spent the most seasons as head coaches before winning their first state championship. Note that Miller’s 26 seasons would rank No. 1 if only Georgia seasons were included. Conrad Nix, Dexter Wood and T. McFerrin each coached for several seasons in other states.

32 – Conrad Nix, 2006 Northside-Warner Robins

27 – Dexter Wood, 2001 Buford

26 – T. McFerrin, 1995 Elbert County

22 – Dan Pitts, 1980 Mary Persons

22 – Bud Theodocion, 1987 Morrow

20 – Luther Welsh, 1984 Thomson

19 – Steve Pennington, 2005 Statesboro

17 – Graham Hixon, 1970 Woodward Academy

17 – Billy Henderson, 1977 Clarke Central

16 – Doc Ayers, 1963 Cedartown

15 – Norman Faircloth, 1961 Fort Valley

15 – French Johnson, 1967 Marietta

15 – Eric Parker, 2011 Burke County

15 – Don Tison, Clinch County

15 – Ben Scott, 1998 Carrollton

Note: Nix coached for eight seasons in Alabama. Wood coached for nine seasons in Alabama. McFerrin coached for five seasons in Tennessee. Welsh coached for three seasons in South Carolina. It is possible that other coaches who spent large portions of their careers out of state have been overlooked.

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