Georgia Coaches Remain Divided Over Playoff Format

A 2026 survey shows most public school coaches want private teams to compete in separate state playoffs.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Secondary Education

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two football players in motion, evoking the tension of the Georgia high school playoff debate. — A 2026 survey of Georgia football coaches highlights growing friction between public and private school administrators over state playoff championship structures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should private and public high school sports teams compete in the same state playoff championships?

An October 2026 survey of Georgia football coaches reveals significant disagreement regarding the inclusion of private schools in state championships. While most public school coaches prefer private-only playoff brackets, the majority of private school coaches advocate for integrated competition.

Why it matters

Public school coaches argue that private institutions hold a competitive edge due to their selective enrollment boundaries compared to public districts. This ongoing debate influences how the Georgia High School Association structures its annual state title playoffs.

The survey polled 192 public school coaches and 21 private school coaches across the state. Currently, GHSA private schools in classes 2A, 3A, and 4A compete in private-only playoffs, while 5A and 6A programs participate alongside public schools.

The players

Georgia High School Association

This governing body manages athletic programs and establishes the competitive playoff structures for public and private schools in the state.

Marist

This private school is one of the programs that has secured a state title since 2019 during the ongoing debate over playoff classification.

Blessed Trinity

This institution is a prominent private school that has achieved success in state championship football since 2019.

Benedictine

This private school is recognized for its recent history of winning state titles within the current GHSA framework.

The details

Coaches supporting separation believe private schools possess unfair advantages, leading many to push for a total shift to private-only championships. Schools like Marist, Blessed Trinity, and Benedictine remain at the center of the discussion after consistent success in state title runs since 2019.

2012: The GHSA implemented private-only playoffs for Class A schools.
2019: Private schools began their current era of winning state titles.
2024: The GHSA expanded the private-only playoff structure to include more classes.
October 2026: AJC Varsity conducted the coaching survey.

Culture Shift

The debate reflects a broader tension between private and public institutions that mirrors the precedent set by the GHSA Class A private-only playoffs of 2012. Many coaches are now calling for this separation to be the standard across all classifications to ensure a level playing field.

The potential shift to private-only playoffs would directly alter the championship brackets for local communities currently hosting 5A and 6A teams. Families and students can expect changes to rivalries and travel expectations if the GHSA alters playoff formats based on coach feedback.

The takeaway

The split in opinion between public and private coaches highlights the complexity of balancing different school models in competitive sports. Parents and school officials should continue to monitor upcoming GHSA meetings for potential changes to league structures.