– Prince Avenue Christian School has announced the promotion of Jon Richt, son of former University of Georgia and Miami head coach Mark Richt, to head varsity football coach, succeeding the highly successful Greg Vandagriff (princeave.org).
Rising Through the Ranks
Jon Richt, 34, is no stranger to the Wolverines’ program. A former quarterback at Prince Avenue (graduated 2008), he later played for Clemson and Mars Hill College. At Mars Hill, he set school records in completions, attempts, passing yards, and touchdowns (princeave.org).
His coaching resume is extensive:
- 2014: Quality-control assistant at the University of Georgia under his father (princeave.org).
- 2015: Offensive assistant with the Buffalo Bills (en.wikipedia.org).
- 2016–2018: Quarterbacks coach at the University of Miami, on staff with his father .
- 2021–2024: Returned to his alma mater as offensive coordinator. In that span, the team clinched state titles in 2022 and 2023 and secured six regional championships, compiling a 107‑15 overall record (princeave.org).
Leadership Transition
Jon replaces Greg Vandagriff, who amassed a remarkable 107‑16 record over nine seasons and led the Wolverines to three state championships before stepping down last month (georgiahighschoolfootballdaily.com). Athletic Director Richard Ricketts praised Richt: “He’s one of us…he understands our school fully…we felt he was a really good fit” (georgiahighschoolfootballdaily.com).
In the 2024 season, Prince Avenue reached the Class 3A‑A private championship, finishing with a 10‑4 record but losing to Hebron Christian 56‑28 (georgiahighschoolfootballdaily.com).
Vision & Expectations
Ricketts highlighted Richt’s spiritual maturity, passion, and deep Christ-centered values, viewing him as the right leader to usher the Wolverines into the next chapter . Local reporters, including Sports Illustrated and High School Football America, mirrored these sentiments, framing Richt as a natural successor primed to sustain the program’s winning culture (highschoolfootballamerica.com).
Legacy and Family Influence
The move invites inevitable comparisons to his father Mark, a two-time SEC champion at Georgia, later head coach at Miami, and inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023 . Yet, Jon has forged his own path—gaining valuable experience at major collegiate programs and the NFL before returning home to lead.
What Comes Next?
As the 2025 season approaches, expectations are sky-high. Key questions include:
- Will Jon continue the Wolverines’ success and capture another state title?
- How will his play-calling and offensive philosophy differ from Vandagriff’s?
- Can he maintain player development and community engagement during this era of transition?
With a combination of heritage, hometown loyalty, and technical expertise, Jon Richt’s appointment signals continuity—and a renewed charge—for Prince Avenue Christian’s football dynasty.
