Many changes in the cards for Harrison football

Harrison's Bruce Cobleigh will tell you he has the same expectations for his football team this season as he does every year - competing for region and state titles, flirting with 10 victories and getting seniors college scholarships. But there's only one hitch. It's not his team anymore. Cobleigh stepped down in March after spending 17 years as the program's only coach. "It's going to be an adjustment," Cobleigh said. "I've been doing it for 33 years. I thought it was the right time. I thought the program was in good shape. I certainly didn't want to leave it when it wasn't in good shape." School officials would like to have a replacement as early as this week, but even though the name on the head coach's office is changing, don't expect the environment to get an overhaul. Harrison is still one of the best jobs in the state because of state-of-the-art facilities and a talented group returning. "I've come in where other guys had a job, but the best part about kids is they are resilient," Cobleigh said. "That's how they can bounce back from the losses. Our guys like to play in the games. I feel confident our principal is going to hire a great football coach, and those kids are just going to rally around them because they want to play. It'll take [the new coach] 10 minutes to get them ready to go." The pieces are certainly in place for Cobleigh's successor. Ten starters return from last season's playoff team. Cobleigh expects the same success his program has reaped every year. He just won't be around to see much of it. "The last thing anyone needs is me around," Cobleigh said. "Would you want the ex-coach hanging around? I'm going to be there if [the new coach] needs something." Harrison Hoyas Region 5-AAAAA Spring practice dates: April 28-May 16. Last year's record: 9-3, lost in the second round. Reclassification challenge: Does not apply. Working on: Harrison will be in limbo until a new coach is named. Cobleigh's team ran the wing-T and a 4-4 defense, so there probably will be an adjustment to a new coaching philosophy. The Hoyas also are looking for depth on defense, where only three starters return, and wide receivers to emerge. Key starters lost: WR Darvin Adams, RB Jamal Austin, RB Alphonso Griffin, SS Brandon Lane, K Eric Cobleigh, P Ryan Hill. Key starters returning: C Nick Jackson, TB Robbie Godhigh, LB Bradley Mears, QB Christian Burnett. 2008 strengths: There's a lot to like about the seven offensive starters coming back. Jackson is a Division I recruit at center and anchors four of five returning linemen. Godhigh rushed for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2007, but will be missing Griffin and Austin to share the load. Enter junior Andre Williams, the Cobb County 200-meters champion. The defensive interior also features three returning starters. Burnett is a smart and steady quarterback entering his third season of starting experience. 2008 weaknesses: Aside from the three returning interior defensive players, there's nothing else. The Hoyas lost the entire secondary, outside linebackers and defensive ends. Harrison will need depth there. The loss of Adams takes away experience and skill at wide receiver. The Hoyas will be looking to replace most of the unit. Kicker Charlton Gutierrez will need to develop as the starter. This season's projection: Everything should be in position for another region title push, but that depends on the new head man. The Hoyas feature a veteran offense guided by strong quarterback and talented backfield, but until the new coach is hired, who knows what parts Harrison is looking for. Even with the question marks, Harrison usually has the talent for a region title and run into the playoffs. Comment: "The group coming back is really a lot of fun to be with," Cobleigh said. "They really like to play. That was the difficult part, not being able to coach these seniors, who are a really fun bunch. These guys truly like to play. So they're going to be fine. They're going to be competitive like they always are."