Alcovy High School Announces New Football Coach

Jason Dukes Named New Alcovy High School Head Football Coach
Posted on 01/25/2019
Jason DukesFormer Georgia Tech and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle, Jason Dukes, is the new head coach of the Alcovy Tigers football team. He replaces outgoing head coach, Chris Edgar.

“I am extremely excited to be named the Head Football Coach at Alcovy High School,” said Dukes. “I am intrigued by the potential that exists at the school and believe that the students, parents, players, administration, and community are eager and ready for the program to take a huge step forward toward being a consistent winner and competing for a region championship every year.”

Dukes added, “The last two years, I coached in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, winning a state championship and coming in second for another. Georgia is my home and with this position comes the blessing of being close to my family once again. During the interview process I was left with the strong impression that Dr. (Sandra) Owens and Dr. (Kristopher) Williams are fully committed to the success of Alcovy football and I know they will support our student-athletes, coaches, and program with all the resources we need to be successful. I am eager to get started by meeting the outstanding young men of this program to spell out the new vision and expectations of the program and to let them know how proud I am to be their head coach.”

Dukes was a four-year starter, letterman, and All-ACC performer for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and played two years in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has served as head football coach at Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Georgia and Smiths Station High School in Alabama, and Lithia Springs High School in Georgia. He currently serves as the defensive line coach at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also teaches civics and world history at the school.

Coach Dukes earned his Bachelors of Science degree in economics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996 and a Masters of Arts in Education from Mercer University in 2009. According to Dr. Sandra Owens, principal of Alcovy High School, in addition to his coaching duties, Dukes will teach Advanced Placement Economics and history.

“We’re very excited to have him join our staff,” said Owens. “He has played at both the collegiate level and in the NFL and he has extensive coaching experience at the high school level. With his football knowledge and leadership skills I think he can make a huge impact on our players and our program.”

During Duke’s time at Alpharetta High School, he led the Raiders football team to three consecutive region championships and four consecutive Georgia state playoff appearances. He assisted in the recruiting activities that resulted in 25 players earning scholarships. While at Alpharetta, Dukes was named GHSAA Region 6-AAAAAA Coach of the Year in both 2012 and 2014.

Dukes also had success at Smiths Station, leading the Panther football team to an 11-9 record over two years in the most competitive region in Alabama. He then moved to Lithia Springs, where he rebuilt the Lions football program; the team had not won a game in three years.

Alcovy High School has several events lined up to introduce Coach Dukes to the students and parents at the school. On Thursday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m., Dukes will attend a player/parent meeting in the school auditorium. On Friday, February 1, he will be introduced at a school pep rally. He will also meet and interview coaches and attend the school’s basketball games that evening to meet students and supporters of the school. Dukes will also attend basketball games on Saturday, February 2.

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