High School Sports
High School Sports

Two Georgians selected for National High School Football Hall of Fame

Jeff Herron

Credit: Todd Holcomb

Credit: Todd Holcomb

Jeff Herron
By
Jan 25, 2025

The National High School Football Hall of Fame announced this week that it would be inducting two Georgians – one a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, the other a 300-game winner as a coach.

The player is Richard Dent, who starred at Atlanta’s Murphy High in the 1970s. Dent went on to play at Tennessee State and most famously with the Chicago Bears, where he was a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end. Dent was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

The coach is Jeff Herron, who retired after the 2023 season with a 334-69 record and five state titles. He is the only coach in GHSA history to win state titles at three schools (Oconee County, Camden County, Grayson).

The induction will be June 14 in Canton, Ohio.

This will be the organization’s third induction class. The only previous Georgian to be honored was Stump Mitchell of Camden County in 2023.

About the Author

Todd Holcomb covers high school sports across the state. He rejoined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2025 and has worked with the AJC in varying capacities since 1985. He is a co-founder and editor of Georgia High School Football Daily.

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