Friday night problems: Alabama high school football coach banned for season after recruiting violation
Alabama High School Coach Suspended for Recruiting Violation
Mary G. Montgomery High School football coach Zach Golson has been suspended for the 2026-2027 season after the Alabama High School Athletic Association ruled that the program committed recruiting violations. The school placed Golson on administrative leave and directed him to leave campus after the allegations surfaced. Officials later acknowledged the violations and accepted the penalties.
The case centers on an event hosted for eighth-grade students planning to attend Mary G. Montgomery the following year. A principal from an opposing school reported the activity to the athletic association. The incident occurred in Semmes, Alabama, outside Mobile, where district zoning rules determine which school students must attend.
Golson had compiled a 37-10 record at the 7A level during his tenure. Under the sanctions, the program will operate on probation, forfeit postseason eligibility, and see any wins against Mary G. Montgomery disregarded in Division 6A, Region 1 standings. Students who participated in the event but live outside the district must enroll at schools in their assigned zones.
The ruling leaves the current roster facing a schedule of games that will not count toward postseason qualification or official records. The school and its players now prepare for the upcoming season under these restrictions.
