Brantley County graduate Jamison Williams named new coach of boys’ program
Brantley County alum Jamison Williams has been named as Brantley County High School’s new basketball coach.
The announcement was made Monday, March 11 by the Brantley County Board of Education. Williams succeeds his high school coach Tripp Herrin, who announced his retirement a couple of weeks back.
“It’s official,” said Herrin. “We’ve already hired Jamison.”
Herrin is a 1990 graduate of Brantley County High School. After graduating from college, he embarked on a 30-year career in the Brantley County School System.
Following his first year of teaching and not coaching, Herrin coached basketball his final 29 years. His career began with two years at Brantley County Middle School, eight years of coaching jayvee basketball and the last 19 years as BCHS head coach.
“All I’ve ever done was play ball when I was younger and as I got older I coached it,” said Herrin. “Everybody says when it’s time, you’ll know it. I just, I just think it’s time.”
Herrin led the Herons to three of their eight state tournament berths. Brantley County’s first appearance in the state tournament came in 1986.
The Herons, who are 08 in state tournament action, ended a 14-year drought after three consecutive appearances from 2003-05 reaching the post-season field in 2019. That team was led by Class AAA all-state selection Jaylin Williams, who went on to star at the University of Auburn.
Brantley County reached the playoffs each of the last two years.
“I’ve coached for a long time and it’s time to move on,” said Herrin. “I’m going to miss a lot of things about it, but it was just time. It was just time. I was fortunate to be able to coach where I grew up and fortunate to coach a long time. I enjoyed every year of it.”
Tripp Herrin
Jamison Williams
Herrin said he is grateful to the people of Brantley County for allowing him to coach at home. Also, the memories will be cherished with the players coached and the relationships built.
“I’ll miss being around the kids, day-in and dayout,” Herrin said. “It’s the relationships with coaches as well. I feel like I have a better relationship with the players now just because I’m older. I was 33 when I became head coach. I still enjoy seeing a lot of them.
“When you’ve done this as long as I have you also make some good relationships with area coaches and coaches in your region. I’ll miss that. I’ll miss the competition, too.”
There are some things Herrin said he will not miss.
“The bus rides are getting a little longer,” he said. “Camps in the summer are getting to be a strain. I enjoyed this year, but we had injuries and we didn’t get to finish our season the way we started.”
Enjoying family time is Herrin’s next priority “I missed a lot of family time with my children growing up,” said Herrin. “My whole family was very involved in the whole 19 years I was head coach. My son played for me.
“My wife is definitely looking forward to Christmas time when we can maybe travel or get to go visit a little bit. I don’t have to practice ball every day during the Christmas break and during summers.
“I’ll be around, though. I’ll be at the games. Maybe I can be hired as an analyst. Hey, I can start playing golf again. I haven’t been able to do that in a while.”
Herrin has all the confidence in Williams, who is the third consecutive BCHS alum to lead the program.
Williams followed his graduation from Thomas University after playing at South Georgia State College with an assistant head coaching job at Andrews College.
He was named head coach in April 2019. Two years later Williams was named head coach at Pierce County High School leading the Bears to two playoff appearances in 2022 and 2025.
“I’m really happy for Jameson,” said Herrin. “He was one of my favorite kids that played for me. I think he’ll do a great job. He’s he’ll be good to the kids. He’s a great X and O coach. We are fortunate to be able to bring him back, so I feel good about turning it over to him.”
