SAVANNAH, Ga. () — As summer practice and football season draw near, the list of the top 100 highest paid public high school football coaches in Georgia was disclosed on X in May. The salary details for coaches at private schools remain confidential.
The report was released by BrooksACarter for the 2024 GHSA football season.
Head Coach Shelton Felton of the Valdosta Wildcats was ranked as the fifth-highest paid public head coach statewide, with an income of $152,421. In 2024, Valdosta held a 9-3 record, and was defeated 49-13 by Carrollton in the playoffs’ second round.
Rocky Hidalgo, leading the Glynn Academy Red Terrors, was placed 21st in the state, drawing a salary of $130,059 last season. The Red Terrors ended with a 6-5 record, losing to Rome 49-17 in the state playoffs’ first round.
Ryan Herring, who leads the Pierce County Bears, clocked in at 43rd with a salary of $124,102. They finished the season 11-2, with a loss to enventual state champion Carver, 44-7, in the third-round of the playoffs. In 2023, the Bears claimed the GHSA Class AA state title.
Cherarad Freeman ranked 70th with a salary of $116,378 as the head coach of Bryan County. Bryan County fell 4-6 in 2024, failing to make the playoffs.
Head coach Buddy Carter of Toombs County was listed at 79th. Carter reportedly made $113,808 in 2024.
Toombs County captured its first state championship in 2024, capping off a 13-1 season with a 38-18 title-securing victory over Northeast in the Class A Division I championship.
Effingham County Rebels head coach John Ford was 86th and made $112,167. The Rebels did not make the playoffs in 2024 following a 6-5 season.
Right behind Ford is Loren Purvis of the South Effingham Mustangs at 87th. Purvis made $111,508 in an 0-10 season.
Head coach of the Emanuel County Institute Bulldogs ranked 93rd at $110,820. The Bulldogs were 7-4 in 2024 and missed the playoffs.
The earliest date for a contest in 2025 is Aug. 14, according to the GHSA website.
