GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Santavious Bryant knows a thing or two about transitions.

Gainesville's Kharim Hughley (8) is back for Big Red and has helped the transition of new coach Santavious Bryant heading into the 2026 campaign. (photo/Gainesville High Athletic Department)

Gainesville's Kharim Hughley (8) is back for Big Red and has helped the transition of new coach Santavious Bryant heading into the 2026 campaign. (photo/Gainesville High Athletic Department)

Bryant took over for Adam Carter at Grayson in 2022, two years after Carter had led the Rams to a Class 7A state title in 2020. In 2024, Bryant followed suit, leading Grayson to their fourth overall state title.

In four years under Josh Niblett, Big Red twice found its way to the championship game. Both times, however, they would come up short in their quest for a second-ever state title. They lost 35-28 to Hughes in 2022 and 62-21 to Thomas County Central back in December.

Bryant, an assistant during Niblett’s first season, is now in his first year at Gainesville after taking over for Niblett. He said on Wednesday that things are on track for the Red Elephants as they go into the 2026 campaign among the many favorites in Class 6A to get to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“The transition has been great, really. I spent time here before, so a lot of familiar faces, a lot of familiar people around the community,” he said. “We were able to just come and get right to work. We've known these kids; we've done a bunch of stuff together over these last few years. We kind of had some prior relationships with a lot of them, which has made things pretty easy overall.

“The kids are doing a really good job of just doing what they're supposed to be doing; buying into what we're doing. So I feel really pleased where we are in this phase of our transition.”

Bryant’s journey back to Gainesville is a similar one to his experience at Grayson. He took over for an established coach coming off a successful run at one of the state’s highest-profile programs. He said high expectations are anticipated -- and welcome.

“There are similarities, for sure,” he said. “The expectations here, like there, are high, which is to be expected with any program that wants to be one of the best in the country. There are going to be some different core values, all that type of stuff, but we want the expectations to be high. That's why we do it, you know. I don't know anybody who wants to go to a place where they say we just want to lose.”

The Red Elephants return the bulk of a high-powered offense, including senior quarterback Kharim Hughley (Clemson commit), senior running backs Nigel Newkirk (Alabama commit) and PJ Lewis, and offensive lineman and Miami commit Tyler Ford. They averaged 40.6 points/game in 2025 and should once again have one of the state’s most explosive offenses.

But Big Red brought Niblett in to push the program back to the consistent heights reached during the Bruce Miller era. They made two state finals appearances but have yet to capture that elusive title.

With a talented roster back and, of course, the high expectations of the community, Bryant understands there won’t be much of a grace period as they try to continue their climb to elite status.

“There is no extra added pressure as far as that goes. I think I have that expectation of myself of winning championships at any job that I'm doing,” he said. “That's our expectation and our goal every single year that we play -- to win a state title. So, no, no added pressure to me.

“High expectations are something that I'm glad we do have. That’s something that makes me want to be a part of it even more. They had a phenomenal season last year, so the community has a very high standard. Our goal is to have those (standards) continue to go upward.”