Special to The Times
BRUNSWICK — Pierce County alum and former Brunswick coach Garrett Grady is staying in South Georgia for his next career stop.
Grady accepted a position with Class 5A Coffee High as an offensive line coach three days after announcing his resignation as head coach at Brunswick High where he was named Region Coach of the Year three times.
“They’ve (Trojans) have a really good program at Coffee, a lot of tradition and winning and some physical football,” Grady said. “I’m excited to get over there and be a part of that and see how I can help.”
Grady will work alongside longtime Coffee offensive line coach Bob Hall.
“I’ve known Bob for a long time, and just getting over there and working with him with that group of offensive linemen is going to be a great opportunity,” Grady said. “They do have some young offensive linemen. I’m excited about their potential and just being able to get in there and work with those guys.”
Grady, who returned to PCHS in 2013 as an assistant on Sean Pender’s staff, succeeded his mentor following the Pirates’ 2021 campaign (five years as an assistant). Grady led Brunswick to three region titles and a 36-10 record in four seasons. His .782 career winning percentage is the best in program history.
Brunswick set program scoring records in back-toback seasons, setting the mark at 43.75 points per game this past year.
“For the past nine seasons, I have been blessed to work with incredible young men and a community that cares deeply about its team,” Grady said in his resignation. “From serving as offensive coordinator for five years to leading this program as head coach for the last four, we have built something to be proud see PIERCE, Page of, and created opportunities for many of our student- athletes to continue their football careers at the next level and helped shape them into strong, resilient, and dedicated young adults.
“Serving as the head football coach at Brunswick High School has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me, for the support I’ve received and for the relationships that will remain long after my time in this position.”
Grady’s last game with Brunswick ended in a sideline-clearing brawl with Gainesville in the third quarter of a November 21 playoff game at Glynn County Stadium.
The game was canceled with the Red Elephants, who are playing in the Class 5A state championship against Thomas County Central, leading 42-0.
The GHSA issued Brunswick a 2026 postseason ban, 44 player suspensions and a $5,000 fine. The ban and 42 of those suspensions were lifted Wednesday, December 10.
“I am so thankful to the administration at Brunswick, Principal Slade Turner, athletic director Steve Waters and (director of football operations) Jason Vaughn for the opportunity to be here at Brunswick,” Grady said. “It was a great run, and I’m just thankful for that experience.”
Grady joins a Coffee team coming off a 4-7 season, the program’s first losing record since 2010. The Trojans were abnormally young this season and competed in Region 2-5A with Thomas County Central, Houston County and Lee County.
