Morgan named new Clinch head football coach
It didn’t take long for Clinch County High to decide on a replacement for retiring head football coach Jim Dickerson.
Three days after Dickerson announced he was going back into retirement at a called school board meeting, the school system has announced Rance Morgan as his replacement as head football coach.
Morgan is currently the school’s assistant principal and is a former assistant football coach at CCHS and Lanier County.
“I’m excited to announce that Rance Morgan has officially been named our head football coach,” Clinch Schools Superintendent Dr. Lori James said in an accouncement Thursday morning. “After spending some time away from football, he’s eager to get back on the sidelines and inspire our players with his passion for the game, all while upholding our proud winning tradition. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong connection with our athletes, fans, and community. Knowing our traditions so well, I have no doubt he’ll lead us to great things this upcoming season.”
A graduate of CCHS, Morgan was a three-sport athlete for the Panthers, earning All-State honors in football and baseball. He was a standout shortstop and pitcher for the Panther baseball team and a key member of the 2003 state championship team. He went on to receive a baseball scholarship from the University of Georgia, then transferred to Valdosta State, where he played for the Blazers. In football, Morgan was a two-way starter for the 2002 state champion Panther football team, earning All-State twice as a defensive back. He shares the school record for most interceptions in a career (16).
Dickerson had served as the CCHS head coach for 15 years before retiring in 2019. He came out of retirement in 2024 to lead the Panthers again, finishing 11-2 in 2024 and 13-1 in 2025. His overall record in 17 combined seasons as the Head Panther is 176-47-1 (a .788 winning percentage), which is the most wins of any coach in Panther football history, and also the highest winning percentage.
