Two of the Central Region’s head football coaching vacancies have been filled, and each is an assistant moving up.

Sam Hart replaces Ray Long Jr., the region’s winningest Group AAA coach, at Patrick Henry.

John Phillips is the new coach at Mills Godwin. He takes over for Will Kitchen, who stepped down after five years at the Eagles’ helm.

Phillips has been the Eagles defensive coordinator.

Patrick Henry won 228 games during Long’s 28 years as head coach. The Patriots were undefeated in winning the 1994 Division 5 state championship. They were state runners-up in 1996 and 2001 and compiled a 44-game winning streak in the Colonial District.

Hart is a Patrick Henry graduate and has been a football assistant for 19 years. He also is the head baseball coach.

“When we were searching for a replacement, we wanted someone who could excite Patrick Henry, motivate the student body, someone who could lead our team to victory, and we found that person in Coach Hart,” Patrick Henry principal
Dr. Jeff Crook said in announcing the new coach.

Hart has a challenge following in Long’s footsteps.

“I look forward to building on what Coach Long started and bringing some championships back to Patrick Henry.“