Former Jackson County Coach Sean Loftis is now quarterbacks coach at Gallatin.

Jackson County’s football program has hired a replacement for departed Sean Loftis (who went to Gallatin as quarterbacks coach).

Former assistant Thomas Cagle was named as Loftis’ replacement last week.

“I’m familiar with the kids and the system, and most of the plans and schemes we talked about as far as moving onto this season,” Cagle said.

The 28-year-old, first-year head coach came to Jackson County last season as an assistant after spending the previous two seasons learning under Brian Waite at East Nashville Magnet.

His time as an assistant leaves Cagle feeling confident he’s ready for the challenges that come with being a head coach.

“I feel like I’m prepared,” he said. “Fortunately, I’ve been in some management positions where I’ve had some responsibility as far as overseeing others and bringing them together to work towards a common goal, and I feel like a lot of the things I’ve learned working in the real world help prepare me for taking on the responsibility of being a head football coach.”

Loftis led the Blue Devils to a 7-5 record last year and the second round of the Class 2A playoffs (their fifth trip in a row).

Davidson Acad. hires coach: Davidson Academy cross country runners will have a chance to learn from a certified expert beginning next season with the hiring of new cross country coach Jen Gentry this week.

Gentry is a certified USA Track and Field triathlon coach and is the co-founder and one of the head coaches of AERO Triathlon.

Gentry will look to rely on her USATF certification and her Ph.D. in neuroscience to help the Bears’ cross country team climb the Division II-A ranks.