Franklin County HS Football Coach Ousted

By Mark Berryman, WLHR News, Lavonia

Franklin County Lions Head Football Coach Jerry Underwood has been removed from the position.

“As a school system we have looked at the football program over the past year for this season and in evaluating where we see the program going we have decided to go in a different direction for our head coach,” said Franklin County School Superintendent Wayne Randall.

Underwood has been head coach for the past five years. The team finished the 2017 campaign with a 2-8 record, winning games against Habersham Central and East Jackson. The average margin for the eight losses was 25.6 points per game.

The announcement will not be official until the Franklin County Board of Education meets on Tuesday. The search for a new head coach will begin at that time, said Randall.

“We have a board meeting on Dec. 7 and that will make it official at that time to make it public and the search will start at that time,” said Randall.

During his time as head coach, Underwood’s teams made the playoffs three times. His record was 17-36 at a program that has not won a playoff game since 2000. Underwood has been on the Lions’ staff since 2008. Randall said Underwood will finish out the school year with Franklin County.