Early on Friday morning, rumors were confirmed that Fitzgerald head coach Jason Strickland was leaving Fitzgerald for Pierce County High (Blackshear, GA).
Results & Record:
Over the course of his career, Strickland has been a proven success with an overall record of 81-32-1. His hiring at Fitzgerald came after former head coach Robby Pruitt was hired at Coffee County following the 2011 season. In his five seasons as head coach for the Purple Hurricane, Strickland posted an eye popping 54-14 record which included 2 region championships (2014 & 2016) back-to-back 13-win seasons (2015 & 2016) and back-to-back state championship appearances (2015 & 2016).
In addition to that, his Purple Hurricane offenses have been noted for being extremely explosive. From 2012-2016 the Purple Hurricane averaged 36 points per game. This offensive explosion was helped by the talent Strickland was able to develop like J.D. King and James Graham. King, an Oklahoma State commit and Graham who has 10 D-1 offers as a junior formed arguably the most dynamic QB/RB duo in the state last season.
Strickland was not able to finish the ultimate goal at Fitzgerald which was winning the school’s first state title since 1948. However, he did bring a consistency and commitment to excellence that his replacement will surely have an uphill battle in replicating. In fact, whoever becomes the next Fitzgerald head coach will not only have to win but win big. In the past 17 seasons, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane have won 10 or more games 14 separate times.
Fitzgerald has been knocking on the door for a long-long time. Hopefully the next coach that is hired will be able to bring a championship to a school and a city that has been desperate for one for many-many years.
What to Expect for Pierce County:
Pierce County is in a much similar position as Fitzgerald. Over the course of the past 5 seasons, the Bears are a combined 46-15 including 1 region championship (2012) and 2 quarterfinals appearances (2014 & 2016). The Bears are also no strangers to a high flying offense. Under Sean Pender the Bears averaged 38 points per game from 2012-2016. Pender’s position was opened after he accepted the Brunswick head coaching position earlier this month.
Strickland will inherit a talented, yet inexperienced team in 2017. The Bears lose starting QB and 2-AAA co-offensive player of the year Stetson Bennett IV. In addition, the Bears will lose their top 3 receivers and their starting running back as well. This means Strickland will inherit a clean slate to mold and shape the team how he seems fit.
While the offense may maintain its spread system, expect the Bears to go to the ground more this year than they have in years past. With the combination of losing a top-flight quarterback and with Strickland’s ground and pound philosophy, this seems to be a given.
The Bears have a lot of question marks heading into the 2017 season but with the addition of one of the top coaches in the state, I would expect the Bears to maintain the success they have experienced in recent years. Time will tell how successful Strickland will be in his new gig but if the past is any indication, Pierce County will be state title contenders year in and year out.
South Georgia
Zachary Pine
In The Game Sports Network
January 2017
Photo by: Score Atlanta
