By Steve Williams
The background of South-Doyle High’s new head football coach is hard to believe.
Zack Gibson has worked hard the past 12 years to get where he is today, and that’s being the new head coach of the Cherokees.
“I’ve been in it a little bit longer than most people think,” said Gibson, now 34 years old.
After graduating from Halls High, where he played football for Kevin Julian and ran track, he graduated from Cumberland University, and then coached four years as an assistant at his alma mater under J.D. Overton.
He joined Matt Lowe’s Powell staff in 2018 and was an assistant for the Panthers for eight seasons, including Powell’s state championship in 2021. That season he was the defensive back coach, special teams coordinator and director of strength and conditioning.
The following two years (2022 and 2023) he was the receiver coach and pass game coordinator. He capped his time at Powell as the defensive coordinator in 2024 and 2025.
It’s easy to see Gibson has taken a lot of steps to get where he is today and is ready to be a head coach. Yet, he’s still youthful looking and energetic as he takes the reins at South-Doyle.
“I’ve been really blessed to work for two great coaches in Matt Lowe and J.D. Overton,” said Gibson. “They’ve been phenomenal in helping me professionally and personally to grow. And I take a lot of pride in the fact that I’ve put the time in for this opportunity.”
Zack also said he feels like he is at the bottom of the totem pole, but is eager to work his way back up.
“Sometimes you have to work for things and it makes it that much sweeter whenever you do,” he said.
Coach Gibson said the Cherokees have a lot of experience returning at all three levels of the defense and every position on offense. He added that the team also has a lot of new faces and some players will have to step into new roles.
“It’s going to be exciting to see the kids get mixed in with seniors like safety/running back Jeremiah Smith and wide receiver/outside linebacker Reed Reynolds.
The S-D coach also is counting on getting good play from OL/DLs Sean Hall and Lincoln Jackson and RB/DBs Walter Gould IV and Jay Norries.
Other probable starters on offense are QB Benson Brang, OL Terry Mills, OL Jeremiah Styden, OL Cole Snyder, WR DeShyran Ryals, WR Jayden Lindsey and WR Joseph Hawkins.
Other probable starters on defense are DL Sergio Mixtega, DL Kyrin Curd, LB Joseph Hawkins, LB Cole Jackson, and DB Jayden Lindsey.
Probable starters on the special teams are kicker Rithy Teav, holder Greyson Loveday, snapper Joseph Hawkins and returner Jeremiah Smith.
