There are approximately 235 high school varsity football programs in Maryland, and it is routine to see about 15 percent head coaching change each year.But 2026 is unique.While there are at least 36 head coaching changes — roughly in line with the 15 percent turnover rate — the marquee names and programs involved makeTeams that finished ranked Nos. 2, 3 and 7 in the state last season have new head coaches this year. DeMatha: Bill McGregor, in his two stints at DeMatha, compiled a 334-53-3 record while leading the nationally renowned program. His final team finished 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in Maryland. McGregor stepped aside before this season, allowing former DeMatha player and recent assistant coach Bryce Bevill to inherit the program. McGregor will stay involved as a director of football operations. In 35 seasons under McGregor, DeMatha won 19 conference titles and finished second nine other times. He leaves as the second all-time winningest coach in Maryland history.Archbishop Spalding: Kyle Schmitt guided Archbishop Spalding into national prominence following the COVID-19 pandemic. He stepped down after leading the Cavaliers to a fourth consecutive MIAA A Conference championship to accept a position as tight ends coach at the University of Maryland. Spalding went 55-6 between 2020 and 2025, and last year’s squad finished No. 3 in the state rankings. Former Navy assistant coach R.B. Green takes over this talented squad. Good Counsel: Another Maryland program to gain national acclaim in recent years, Good Counsel also underwent a head-coaching change. Andy Stefanelli was replaced by Sal Gorgone. During Stefanelli’s nine-year tenure, the Falcons averaged seven wins per season and won two Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships.River Hill: Brian Van Deusen retired after 26 years and 227 wins at River Hill. Van Deusen elevated the Hawks to state prominence beginning in the early 2000s. River Hill strung together 10 straight seasons with at least 10 wins. During that run, River Hill won four state titles. Van Deusen ranks 15th in all-time coaching wins in Maryland. Breaon Klein-Hebron is the new River Hill head coach.A Father-Son FirstPerhaps the most unique coaching change this year involves a father-son combination. Sean A. Pierce was the head coach at Walt Whitman while his father, Sean W. Pierce, was an assistant. In the offseason, Sean A. was named head coach at Springbrook and Sean W. was named head coach at John F. Kennedy. Springbrook travels to Kennedy for a nonleague clash on Sept. 25.Other Noteworthy ChangesJake Coleman, who guided Stephen Decatur to back-to-back state titles in 2023 and 2024, has stepped down in order to follow his son, who plays football at nationally ranked Vanderbilt. Russell Croteau takes over as Decatur’s head coach.Tim Small, the winningest coach in the 56-year history of Williamsport, stepped down after 11 seasons to take an administrative role at the school. Small turns the program over to his assistant coach Joe Austin.Dameon Powell, who coached Flowers into the status of Class 4A state power, takes over the Riverdale Baptist program. Powell was 48-8 at Flowers since 2021 before the team was forced to forfeit its 6-0 start last season and he was relieved of his coaching duties. One other coaching change of note, Chad Wilson had to step down after five years as head coach at Watkins Mill after being appointed to the Frederick County Board of Education. Angel Garcia takes over at Watkins Mill.2026 Coaching ChangesSchool2026 Coach2025 CoachAlbert EinsteinBlair WebbTracy Martin Jr.Archbishop SpaldingR.B. GreenKyle SchmittCatonsvilleJeff MuellerJohn YoungbergDeMathaBryce BevillBill McGregorEdmondson-WestsideBrian DunstonCorey JohnsonFlowersFrederick GrovesDameon Powell/Groves interimFrederickE.J. WallacePat CaddenGlen BurnieMalik ForresterAlec LemonGood CounselSal GorgoneAndy StefanelliHarford TechBrad DreyerRyan HuntJames M. BennettDustin MillsGreg LasinskiJohn F. KennedySean W. PierceJacquis McCrayJoppatowneChris JohnsonGarry SmithKent IslandTrent JacksonTim GoodrichLong ReachIsaac MurrayJamie WillisMount Zion RegionalZion Williamsno programNew TownSteph SmithMike SavagePattersonDave GonzalesElwood TownsendPerry HallRobb JohnsonRyan PittilloPerryvilleDan BasaraBasara/Thomason co-interimsPikesvilleMichael BradleyDominic PetersQueen Anne'sBryon SofinowskiBrian MooneyRandallstownTim BrownJamari McColloughRising SunWes JohnsonDom MassimianoRiverdale BaptistDameon PowellBruce HockerRiver HillBreaon Klein-HebronBrian Van DeusenRockvilleQuinn BackusAlimamy KallaySt. Vincent PallottiKenny LucasTony AshleySpringbrookSean A. PierceAkiel RussellStephen DecaturRussell CroteauJake ColemanWalt WhitmanPatrick GallowaySean A. PierceWalter JohnsonJacquis McCrayAaron FiddlerWashingtonTremont WhiteAlec MeintzerWatkins MillAngel GarciaChad WilsonWilliamsportJoe AustinTim SmallWoodlawnJames GambleCJ MastersonAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow