Southeast Whitfield High School has its new head football coach.
The Whitfield County Board of Education members unanimously approved the hiring of Jesse Peppers during their January board meeting Monday.
Peppers joins the Raiders after serving as Chattooga High School’s offensive coordinator since June. He helped coach the Indians to a 6-5 overall record, a 3-4 record in Region 7-A D1 and their first playoff appearance since 2021, with the Chattooga offense averaging 34 points per game.
“I want to say how thankful that I am to be here in Whitfield County,” Peppers said. “I think it’s very clear from everybody who was a part of the (hiring) process how much Southeast matters to them, and I can promise you it matters just as much to me. I truly appreciate it and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Prior to his stint at Chattooga, Peppers served as the offensive coordinator, defensive line coach and receivers coach for LaFayette High School’s football program for nine years. He also served as an assistant varsity boys basketball coach and junior varsity boys basketball coach at LaFayette. He taught special education at LaFayette and Chattooga.
Peppers has five children between the ages of 17 and 7 with his wife Kristi.
He begins at Southeast following former head football coach Todd Murray’s resignation in November. Murray was head coach for five seasons. The Raiders were 1-8 in 2024 and 9-39 during his time as the head coach.
“We are so excited to have (Peppers),” said Southeast Whitfield Principal Denise Pendley. “He is certified to teach special education, social studies and English, which I think speaks to his commitment to the whole student, the academic side and the athletic side. So, we are so happy to have him and we’re looking forward to great things.”
Stephen Stacy, Southeast’s athletic director and assistant principal, said “nearly 30 applicants” responded to the job opening before the “narrowing down process” began on Jan. 3.
“Eight interviews took place on Jan. 15 and a second round of interviews took place the (following week),” Stacy said. “Amongst the members of the interview panel, (Peppers) was the unanimous choice.”
Stacy said he believes Peppers brings several skills to Southeast, including “efficiency and organization, building and maintaining a positive culture, and developing players from a very young age.”
“Peppers documented and shared that he wants to work closely with the feeder middle school programs at Eastbrook Middle School and Valley Point Middle School,” Stacy said. “It is believed that (Peppers) will do a lot of footwork and networking for the remainder of the current school year (to advance that process).”