By: Colin Lacy

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

After the resignation by Jared Zito as Head Coach at Southeast Bulloch, administration made the quick decision to name Defensive Coordinator Jason Anthony as Interim Head Coach.

Later Bulloch County announced that Anthony would be Head Coach at minimum through the 2026 football season.

Covering the Jackets for the last five years, I’ve been able to see firsthand the level of respect from the players, coaches, and community that Coach “Ant” has which has been incredible to see.

Anthony has been the defensive coordinator for Southeast Bulloch since 2021 leading the SEB Defense to new heights each season while also serving as the Head Coach for SEB Track and Field.

Having spent the past 18 years on the sidelines as an assistant coach, 16 of those as a defensive coordinator, Anthony is ready to take the next step and finally become Head Football Coach of his own program.

In multiple speaking engagements, Coach Ant has used the phrase “My Program, Our Team.”  With the meaning that while he is in charge of the program and setting the standard of it, the team is not only his, but the player’s and the community’s as well.

Anytime you hear Coach Ant speak about this team, there’s one main focus that is abundantly clear…these kids. The players are the “why” behind every decision that Coach Ant and the staff makes.

Continuity on the staff has been high on Coach Ant’s list since taking over the SEB program. The majority of the coaching staff from the past year remains in place with Anthony Hammett, Donnie Carr, Jonathan Roddie will stay on as defensive staff members while Matt Smith stays on as tight ends coach.

Brandon Peterson will stay leading the offensive line and take over as offensive coordinator for the Jackets in 2026.

The other key piece staying in place is Randy Lee remaining as the Special Teams Coordinator and will move from Running Backs Coach to coaching the linebackers.

A couple of familiar faces return to the staff under Coach Anthony as former SEB standout and former receivers coach Rand Morgan returns to the staff in the same role. Brent Osborne also returns to the staff as the Director of Football Operations & Recruiting Coordinator.

There’s a new energy around the Southeast Bulloch Football program. Even though we’re still six months away from kickoff, there’s excitement around the program as they get introduced to Coach Anthony as the Head Coach.

The energy and passion that Ant brings to the program is unmistakable. The feeling of countless hours over the 18-year career building to become a head coach for Anthony is palpable when you feel the passion that Ant has for the program, his job, and his family.

While there are some that are still getting to know Coach Anthony, I can assure you that this is a homerun for Jackets Football. Obviously, everyone has seen the schematics that Ant brings to the table as one of the best defensive coordinators in the state, but there a whole new level that people are going to get introduced to…Jason Anthony as a leader.

Ant is an unquestioned leader and is an unbelievable molder of young men. A huge piece of the SEB Program is developing not only football players but developing young men to be exceptional human beings.

Personally, I can’t wait for the season to kick off to be able to begin the Jason Anthony Era of Jackets Football. There’s a new air around the Jackets program and the new breath seems to have new life into the program that will lead to even more success very soon.