Legendary Tennessee High School Football Coach Steps Down

Gary Rankin, the all-time wins leader in TSSAA history, resigns from Boyd-Buchanan after leading the team to a No. 1 state ranking.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Gary Rankin, the legendary high school football coach who holds the record for most wins in Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) history, has decided to step down as the head coach of Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga. Rankin confirmed he is not retiring from coaching entirely and is open to taking on a new position in the future.

Why it matters

Rankin's departure marks the end of an era for Boyd-Buchanan football, which has been a powerhouse program under his leadership. His decision to step away, while not a full retirement, will have a significant impact on the local high school football landscape in Tennessee.

The details

Rankin led the Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers to a No. 1 state ranking in the final 2025 Nebraska High School Football Massey Rankings. However, he has decided to resign from his head coaching position, though he stated he is not retiring from coaching altogether and is open to taking on a new role in the future.

  • Rankin confirmed his resignation on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Gary Rankin

The all-time wins leader in Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) history, who has served as the head football coach of Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga.

Boyd-Buchanan School

A private Christian institution in Chattanooga, Tennessee, serving students from preschool through 12th grade, with a focus on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not retiring … I'll coach again. I have nothing in mind already. We'll see what pops up. Maybe something won't pop up. But you never know. Things happen.”

— Gary Rankin, Head Football Coach, Boyd-Buchanan School (The Daily News Journal)

What’s next

Rankin's resignation leaves an opening for a new head football coach at Boyd-Buchanan School, and the school will likely begin a search process to find his replacement in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Rankin's departure from Boyd-Buchanan marks the end of an era for one of Tennessee's most successful high school football programs, but his openness to coaching again in the future suggests he may not be done shaping the state's gridiron landscape just yet.