Coaches confidential: Gastonia, Shelby football coaches weigh in on NCHSAA realignment

Change looms over the horizon for high school sports in North Carolina .

The 2024-25 football season will be the last played at four classifications, the state High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) expanding to eight at the start of next school term.

In coming months, programs in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties will learn where they land in North Carolina’s new high school sports landscape. One thing for sure, however, is none of them will be among the state’s “Big 32,” which groups its largest 32 schools into a single classification.

Over the summer, we granted area football coaches anonymity and asked them several questions in a series called “Coaches Confidential,” allowing them to offer perspective on a bevy of topics in high school athletics. Today’s question: What are your thoughts on the looming NCHSAA expansion to eight classes, and what are your expectations?

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Coaches throughout the tri-county area were emailed and asked to submit answers. Here are their responses, with most coaches in favor of changes to come.

“I voted yes. I hope they can find a way to align conferences by (average daily membership) and geography. But I know that will be a stretch. If the new realignment requires one or the other, there could be negative issues and concerns.”

“I am in favor of the plan. The current system was put in place when the state had far fewer teams to divide. Eight classifications is a step in the right direction.”

“I’m in favor of it. On the football side, we had this before when (classifications awarded split titles). My expectation is the same as before. I don’t think this will change as much as people think. People will find something else to complain about and continue ‘to beat the dead horse’ topic of charter schools.”

“Yes, I hope to be placed in a conference with less travel. My expectation is that not everyone will be happy.”

“Yes; more opportunities for other teams.”

“Yes, I am in favor of the expansion to eight classifications. I think it will put us in a class with more teams that are similar in size, as we have always been one of the smaller 3A teams. I think it will be more fair than the current classifications.”

“I feel OK with it. I think six may have been the best number of classes, but I support the state’s decision.”

“Yes; I hope this allows more schools of the same size to play together in the playoffs.”

“I think the expansion was done to correct previous mistakes by the state.”

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Coaches confidential: Gastonia, Shelby football coaches weigh in on NCHSAA realignment