First-year high school coaches that will make a big impact in 2025

The high school coaching carousel may not be followed as closely as its college and NFL counterparts, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting.

Hundreds of programs changed head coaches over the offseason, all of them hoping a change at the top results in victories on and off the field. Here are five first-year coaches that will make a big impact on their new program:

Chip English, Hoover (Ala.)

English is officially entering his first season as Hoover‘s head man after serving in an interim role last year after a practice incident led to the dismissal of head coach Drew Gilmer.

Taking over less than three weeks before the start of the season, English impressed those around the Yellowhammer State with how he quickly settled into the position and calmed the waters around the program. Oh, and he won games, too. The Buccaneers won 10 wins and reached the state semifinals before falling to perennial state power Phenix City Central.

With the way English has this program moving, we expect him to return Hoover to the top.

Jordan Gill, Gunter (Texas)

It won’t be easy taking over for five-time state championship head coach Jake Fieszel, but Gill is well-positioned to keep Gunter at the top after serving as the program’s offensive coordinator during its run of three-straight state titles.

Gill’s most challenging task this offseason will be developing replacements for the Tigers’ departed starting quarterback and top wide receivers from a year ago. The return of 2026 tailback Jay Campiti, who rushed for over 700 yards in 2024, will surely help ease any concerns on offense.

Expectations are always high at Gunter, so time will tell if Gill can keep the program atop of Class 3A, Division II.

Carson Palmer, Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.)

Recent history suggests this hire will be a home run for Santa Margarita Catholic. Teddy Bridgewater guided Miami Northwestern to a state championship last year. Jason Witten has led Liberty Christian (Texas) to back-to-back state titles. Phillip Rivers went 12-2 last season at St. Michael Catholic. Tim Hasslebeck posted an 11-1 record in his debut season with Ensworth.

Palmer may not be able to lead his program to those heights right away, as he’ll be taking his Eagles squad into the lion’s den that is the CIF’s Southern Section. Games against national powers Mater Dei and St. John Bosco loom large on the schedule.

We’re not saying Palmer won’t get thing turned around at Santa Margarita, but it’s going to take a little bit of time. We do believe, however, that Palmer will eventually develop the Eagles into one of the top programs in the state of California.

Greg Studrawa, IMG Academy (Fla.)

Time will tell how this one shakes out for IMG Academy as it moves into life after Billy Miller, who left the program to join Bill Belichick‘s staff at North Carolina.

Studrawa, a longtime offensive line coach for LSU and Ohio State, inherits one of the country’s best rosters along with facilities that are the envy of some college programs. He will lead the Ascenders as they face off against some of the best high school programs in the country.

Early games against The First Academy and Hoover will be no gimmes whatsoever for Studrawa’s team and then a trip to the Battle at The Beach in Ocean City, N.J. will pose a tough road challenge as well.

Sam Williams, UMS-Wright Preparatory School (Ala.)

Williams arrives at UMS-Wright Preparatory School after leading Brandon, one of Mississippi’s top high school football programs, to a 45-10 record and three state championship appearances over four seasons. He’s taking over for Terry Curtis, who retired in February as the second-winningest coach in Alabama high school football history after winning 284 games and eight titles with the Bulldogs.

No pressure, Coach!

Needless to say, we think Williams is up for the challenge after what he was able to do at Brandon. UMS-Wright won six games last season and Williams should be able to improve on that total right away.