HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: The months-long grind is here. Some things to know about the 2026 VHSL season as practice gets underway (copy)
George Wythe coach Brandon Harner.
Brandon Harner’s first season as the head football coach of the George Wythe Maroons occurred in 2014.
That gives him the distinction of currently owning the longest continuous tenure at one school of any gridiron boss in far Southwest Virginia.
“That’s insane to think about and it feels like it just started to be honest,” Harner said. “It’s just hard to believe that I’m getting ready to start Year 13. It’s been a great experience. I’ve had great kids, a great community and great administrators to work for.”
Tony Palmer is next in line as he took over at Graham in 2015 and has led the G-Men to three VHSL Class 2 state championships.
Abingdon’s Garrett Amburgey and Eastside’s Mike Rhodes have been at the helm of their programs since 2018.
George Wythe has not had a sub.-500 record since 1996 and the Maroons have had just four head coaches during that streak of sustained success. GW has made the playoffs every season since 2007 as well.
“Any school that has a successful program has not had a bunch of turnover and that’s good for the community and good for the kids,” Harner said. “In today’s world, there’s a lot of turnover in teaching and coaching in general. … It’s hard to do. I’ve been blessed. I have a supportive family and a lot of factors play into being able to do what I’ve done for so long.”
The coaching carousel this offseason saw Bubba Edwards (Richlands), Kevin Saunders (Wise County Central), Jamie Harless (Union), Cody Smith (Castlewood) and Keener Burke (Twin Springs) take over the football programs at their respective schools. Meanwhile, J’me Harris be-gins his second tour of duty at Tazewell after he previously held the position from 2017-2024.
The landscape has indeed changed dramatically and you probably won’t see people match the stays of Doug Hubbard at Honaker (39 seasons, 1983-2021), Ernie Hicks at Richlands (37 seasons, 1926-1942, 1945-1964), Clintwood’s Ralph Cummins (35 seasons, 1953-1987), Haysi’s James Colley (33 seasons, 1982-2014) and Graham’s Glynn Carlock (32 seasons, 1973-2004) at one school. Surpassing the decade threshold like Harner is an accomplishment these days.
He still has a passion for his job.
“The first practice really gets it going for me,” Harner said. “Then that first game gets that competitive nature and is why we do this. It’s always exciting. I’ve been doing this for a while and I still get nervous before every game.”
Thursday marked the first official day that Virginia High School League football teams can begin practice.
Gate City, John Battle, Eastside and Patrick Henry held their first practice at midnight.
Lebanon, Marion, Richlands, Southern Gap, Virginia High, Abingdon, Ridgeview, Union, Castlewood, J.I. Burton, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Holston, Honaker, Northwood, Chilhowie, Wise County Central and George Wythe took the field later in the day on Thursday.
Graham, Lee High, Rural Retreat, Tazewell and Thomas Walker officially got started on Monday.
