Update: Herron explains why he’s leaving Camden for Prince Avenue Christian
Jeff Herron says he understands why fans might’ve been thrown for a loop Wednesday when they heard the news.
Herron, who led Camden County to three state championships and national prominence in Georgia’s highest classification in his 13 seasons in Kingsland, was announced as the new head football coach at Class A private school Prince Avenue Christian in Bogart.
Reached by phone, Herron said his wife asked the same questions: Are you ready to leave the spotlight of the highest classification and the national renown that Camden has earned for a school of fewer than 500 students? Won’t you miss it?
‘’While I’m not going to tell you that stuff doesn’t have some importance, it’s never been as important as some think,’’ Herron said. ‘’I just like coaching kids and the relationship you have with your players and coaches. That’s why I got in the business. It’s going to be less players [at Prince Avenue], but that gives me a chance to build even closer relationships. That’s more important to me at this stage of life than playing on ESPN.’’
With that, Herron’s wife, Inka, was all on board. Their daughter Brittany lives in the Athens area. She is expecting her first child any day. It will be the Herrons’ first grandchild. Herron also will be closer to his father, Thomas, in Virginia.
Herron, 52, won Class AAAAA titles at Camden in 2003, 2008 and 2009 and was 158-18 at Camden on the Georgia coast. His overall record is 242-45.
In 1999, Herron led Oconee County to its only title and is one of 13 coaches in state history to lead two different schools to football state championships. No coach has won state titles at three schools.
Prince Avenue’s campus, originally in Athens, is located in Oconee County. Herron also was coach of nearby Cedar Shoals in Athens from 1990 to 1993.
Prince Avenue was 11-3 in 2012 and lost in the Class A private championship game to Eagle’s Landing Christian. Prince Avenue started varsity football in 2005.
Former coach Mark Farriba resigned earlier this year to return to his alma mater, Stratford Academy in Macon.
Herron said he plans no changes on the coaching staff. Prince Avenue defensive coordinator is Richard Bell, a former defensive coordinator at Georgia. Herron coached Bell’s son, Murray, while at Cedar Shoals some 20 years ago.
‘’I’m hopeful that all of them will stay, and they’ll all be given that opportunity,’’ Herron said. “They have a great staff as witnessed by their success.’’
Herron is not the first coach to leave a top program in the highest classification for something smaller.
Blair Armstrong left Peachtree Ridge, the 2006 state champion, for Banks County. Tim McFarlin, whose Roswell team shared that 2006 state title, retired briefly, re-emerged to help build the football program at Class A King’s Ridge and now coaches at Class AAA Blessed Trinity.
‘’There’s no question that a program this big [at Camden] that I am more of a CEO,’’ Herron said. “Having a smaller environment hopefully will help me do things that I love. But I’m not saying that I’m down-sizing. That would be a disservice at Prince Avenue. Their goals and dreams are just as important as the people at Camden. I’m going to put the same energy there as I did here.’’
He leaves Camden as the most winning school in Georgia’s highest class since he was hired there in 2000.
‘’It has been a good run,’’ Herron said. “Like I told my players, I’m a small piece of the puzzle. I’m thankful I was along for ride. They’re still going to be good. If I’d waited for them to run out of talent, I would’ve been around a long time.’’
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88 comments Add your comment
HSFB Follower
February 20th, 2013
1:59 pm
Good stuff on here! Money, faith, family, etc could have something to do with, He kind of has that rep in the state ($) yet the light was getting brighter and brighter at Camden and three straight home losses in the playoffs had the folks in Camden saying hmmmm, especially after the team they had this season. The offer came his way and he couldn’t pass it up. Prince Ave will stay good, run that Wing T to death, and pad his win totals without playing anyone of importance. Hey get it how ya do! Maybe he needed the private school challenge? Something tells me Camden is going to be just fine!
richard with ears
February 20th, 2013
2:40 pm
why would anyone send their kid to a christian school anyway,waste of time studying fairy tales, no practical value to it
OCHS Veteran Fan
February 20th, 2013
2:49 pm
Jeff Herron is a friend and our days go back to Cedar Shoals and later at Oconee where I was involved in the program. There is no finer man, family and individual influencing young men’s lives. My only regret is that he left Oconee before my son had an opportunity to play under him. We’ve spoken in the last year and he indicated he wanted his next coaching job to be at a smaller private school. Jeff has nothing to prove as he is one of the best high school coaches in the state, if not the south. He will, however, take PAC to levels they haven’t acheived. Truth is, Jeff is a magnet and kids just want to compete for him. We’re proud to have him back in the area and look forward to great things coming to Oconee. It’s a great place to be and live and we are better off for having the Herron’s come home.
true wild cat
February 20th, 2013
3:23 pm
I wish coach nothing but the best but we are loaded with talent. Coach did what was best for him and his family,i am not mad at that. Now our problem comes with finding the right guy to coach this talent,now i would like coach coffee to get the job. @liberalefty i have that feeling as well but after the phone calls i got once the news broke out,i wouldnt be surprised if they do. black,white we dont care, just get us back to the championship. wild cat for life!!!!!!LETS GO
Graydog
February 20th, 2013
3:29 pm
Camden didn’t own Jeff Herron . They just thought they did,but, it was nice to get to borrow him for a while.Best wishes Coach. Congratulations Prince Avenue.
BehindEnemyLines
February 20th, 2013
4:22 pm
Lost in all of this might be another of the motivations: a chance to shine in an area (Oconee Co) where – by the accounts I’ve always heard at least – he was screwed over pretty good by a bad administration in his first stay in the area. The pipeline for talent flowing from OCHS to PACS might be a pretty big one.
cat doc
February 20th, 2013
4:54 pm
Best wihes to you and your family, Coach Herron you gave us joy at Camden. Prince Ave. is lucky to get such a coach. Rembember the trips. S.C., Hoover High, St Thomas, Ohio St., not to mention the times at the Dome. What a ride. Thank you so much.
jdawg34
February 20th, 2013
5:14 pm
to hubert green concerning !double dipping! if coach herron wanted to work at Wal Mart would you allow him to do that? The big picture is this…he started 30 yrs ago in Paulding…and now he has a grandchild due soon….many, many coupes retire to where there children and grandchildren live….being closer to his father….there are things that change as you get older and ESPN does not allow some of those things…only thru a TV set. I think it is a great move for his family…and what some are upset with is that he is a class act….and most are just jealous of that…he has paid his dues and I wish him the best….cannot wait to see him game day weekends between the hedges…wow a bunch of jealous folks…it is what it is….
Wildcat Guy
February 20th, 2013
5:19 pm
Coach Herron is one class act! For you folks that are ripping Camden and Jeff Herron, grow up! We have a program here because of class on and off the field. Please do not think for one minute Camden is going to be just average team anymore. You will see our kids get stronger and better! More State Titles are on the way!
Parrish
February 20th, 2013
6:14 pm
A word against the ignorance that always seems to get its foot in the door with these blogs. Kudos to the teaching staff and football coaches at PACS. My son leaves that school this May scoring a 27 on the ACT first sitting. A 3.4 gpa (hey, he’s a boy). College credits. Region POY. All State twice. Never had touched a football before we put him Prince. ….it’s amazing what those “hick” type “fairy tales” can do for a kid, huh?
The foundation was good parenting and the Prince staff built from there. I have pulled my sons from football when they have failed to meet my academic standards and they have recovered. I unashamedly adopted this as my motto years ago “And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man.” … and have done my best to provide opportunities for my sons to do the same… so far, no regrets and none forseeable.
oldmaroon
February 20th, 2013
6:32 pm
Is is a coincidence that your motto is also the motto of the Westminster Schools?
Parrish
February 20th, 2013
6:38 pm
I’m not familiar with Westminster so, yes. Luke 2:52.
camdenfan2013
February 20th, 2013
7:29 pm
Thanks for the memories Coach.
Gamer
February 20th, 2013
7:52 pm
Herron will continue to be one of the great coaches. I feel he wants to eventually coach in Metro Atlanta. Prince Avenue is a short stop over before it’s back to AAAAAA.
Good luck to him and his family.
robert
February 20th, 2013
7:58 pm
I will miss Coach Herron. I got to know his parents as I sat in their section at the home games. He was so easy to talk with at the QB Club meetings and had great ideas to put out for the club. He was a person who was honest and up front with everyone in the Camden program. He lead by example and it was a great example unlike some of the others who are coaching young kids these days. I wish him nothing but the best in the future. I think you could see he had some frustation in the last few years with some of the things that had happened during some of the biggest games at Camden. Like the officiating and just dealing with the everyday task associated with such a big program. Maybe it is time to go back to a smaller program and get back to basics plus the family situation.
Whatever the reason we will miss you very much Coach Heron & family you have been a true blessing to our community and school. Thanks for giving this Camden alumnus a memory of a lifetime when the Cats won their first state championship at Valdosta. I will never forget that night. Also winning Region 1 in 6A this past year.
Crash001
February 20th, 2013
8:39 pm
I heard Ron Gartrell currently Stephenson High School head football coach will be name Camden next coach.
The Answer
February 20th, 2013
9:33 pm
Coach Herron was getting paid close to $100,000 a year at Camden County i can almost promise he is not getting paid anywhere close to that sum of money at Prince Avenue Christian School. He is moving to Oconee County because his grandchild will be born soon and lives in Oconee County
Wildcat Guy
February 20th, 2013
9:34 pm
Crash001 Negative on that one
Jim
February 20th, 2013
9:49 pm
No way Gartrell will be going to camden
Augusta Gator
February 20th, 2013
10:08 pm
Franklin Stephens should be the next coach at Camden. Don’t mess this up Wildcats!
A teacher
February 21st, 2013
9:57 am
At Concerned Parent:
As a teacher I do wish we were paid more and I think getting rid of Art is a bad idea. But mathematically we should probably pay the coach more. Yes I said more. The program brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars off of gate money and sponsorships and this is mainly due to the quality job he has done. FYI: No tax money is spent on athletics outside of supplements and facilities. Band and the arts do get operating money from tax money.
DC
February 21st, 2013
3:39 pm
Herron understands that AAAAAA power has shifted to North Gerogia.
Pope UGA XXIII
February 21st, 2013
4:56 pm
Don’t know exactly who Tom Jensen is, but I’m very happy my
two sons were able to play at Greater Atlanta Christian in the 90’s.
“A hick school in the middle of nowhere with no academics” ??
Outstanding campus in a financially strong suburban county. If
you can’t figure out the reason(s) why many kids are moving over
to private schools check out the school environments, test scores,
and faculty dedication and you might have a hint.
Hideyourwives
February 21st, 2013
7:54 pm
With his 60,000 he will draw in retirement and 70-75,000 he’ll get paid at PAC that will put him at 130-135 k. That is how he will make more money. Good move on coach’s part.
E Taylor
February 21st, 2013
11:25 pm
sometimes in life God wakes us up and allow us to see, it is not about money and football, but about his Grace and mercy. In a small c hristian school coach Herrin can build relationships and help more children to grow.He will be able to minister more in his own way, some children had problems at camden high and with so many coaches, he was not able to be accountable for all those coaches actions. So now he will know what goes on and be accountable and teach life values and education is more important. At camden there are so many players i doubt he knows them all
border dweller
February 22nd, 2013
5:33 am
First grandchild and no more sandgnats. Good luck Jeff, and thanks for what you’ve built here.
Whoz53
February 22nd, 2013
9:06 am
South Georgia has lost it’s grip on bring a major football power. Infrastructure has weakened. Coach Herron has perfect timing. Good Luck!
Vandy Alderman
February 22nd, 2013
9:50 am
Maybe it’s time to give home-grown Coach and friend Stump Mitchell a shot. He’s earned it!
Nayloves93
February 22nd, 2013
11:09 am
@Vandy Alderman Stump Mitchell recently accepted the position of RB Coach for the Arizona Cardinals.
Good for Coach Herron...
February 22nd, 2013
11:38 am
Jeff Herron…one of the tope three coaches in all of High School football in Georgia, regardless of classification. Wished that Marist would have “retired” Chadwick and then hired Coach Herron instead of Prince Avenue Christian getting him now.
Jeff Herron is a better coach than Alan Chadwick, not too mention a better influence on the young man that play for him. Trust me…
Also, Mrs. Herron had more to do with this move than one would ever know…coupled with the fact he can now “double dip”! Smart move on THEIR part!! Being close to your grandchildren is very important to grandmother’s…at least in this case!!!
5 Starr Cat
February 22nd, 2013
2:00 pm
I don’t care if he’s the head deacon, biggest drunk, or wife beater. Its football. Hire me a coach that wins.
prof. jess
February 22nd, 2013
2:57 pm
Camden will continue to have a super program, because of the good athelets in that part of the state. Even some of you idiots could coach there if you can stand the pressure from some of the big time boosters!
Knightshield
February 23rd, 2013
6:04 pm
Thank you, Coach Herron. You set a standard that will be hard to match.
Scott Daniel
February 24th, 2013
11:10 pm
Good luck coach. What difference does it make if it is the money. I’m sure the money comes into play but family and a new challenge also have a bearing on his decision
Colquitt Fan
February 25th, 2013
8:58 am
Any coaching search updates Camden fans?
sportsnut
February 25th, 2013
11:42 pm
This will be a chance for many to see that it is not always about the coaching. Camden should be fine. If you can field a team with 143 players every year, there should be no problem finding talent. Good luck to the coach as he moves on.
Colquitt Fan
February 26th, 2013
10:32 am
That’s not always the case though. Colquit was dressing under a 100 players and went 2-8 before Propst came to Colquitt. Now were well over a 100 and making deep playoff runs every year. Coaching matters plenty
Camden1902
February 27th, 2013
1:30 am
Good luck Coach Herron. We will miss you.