New Richmond Hill High School head football coach Josh Eads has been around some great football coaches in his time.
In high school in Florida, Eads played under line coach Ernest Hayes, “who had a great impact on my life,” Eads said.
He went on to play offensive line at D-II powerhouse North Alabama during the Lions’ amzing run from 1993 to 1995 when UNA won three consecutive D II titles under Hall of Fame coach Bobby Wallace.
“I was an average player on a good team at a great place to learn about football from a great coach,” Eads said.
Eads’ first high school coaching gig was at Tift County High School under Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Famer Charles Winslette, who won two state titles during a career that spanned five decades and a number of schools.
His most recent assistant coaching job was as offensive line coach at Richmond Hill High School, where Eads moved because his wife, Patsy, was transferred from Paulding County to Savannah.
The couple have two sons, Bryce, 13, and Grant, 2.
“We did the research and figured out which community we wanted to live in and raise kids in and Richmond Hill was the first one that kept popping up,” Eads said. “I was very fortunate (former coach Lyman Guy) was able to get me in the door teaching and coaching because everybody in the area wants to teach here.”
Now, Eads hopes to forge a legacy of his own after being named Tuesday as head football coach at RHHS.
He replaces Guy, who left to go to Toombs County after resurrecting a long dormant program that before back-to-back trips to the postseason in 2012 and 2013 hadn’t been to the state playoffs since 1996.
Eads was chosen out of roughly 40 candidates after officials’ first choice, a coach in another system, had to back out due to family health issues. He said he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to lead Richmond Hill High School football,” Eads said. “It’s a great opportunity, and a great first head coaching job. Coach Guy did a wonderful job here and I am looking forward to building on the positives that he brought to Richmond Hill High School and continuing the tradition of winning.”
He’ll have his work cut out for him, given the Wildcats’ new region — arguably the toughest Class AAAAA football region in Georgia.
“We definitely have our work cut out for us there,” said Eads, who looks young but has 17 years of experience in high school coaching. “We plan to continue to experience success even with the harder schedule. We plan on being successful.”

Read full story in April 5 issue of the Bryan County News.