Phoebus High School has hired Alonzo Coley as its next head football coach, marking the program’s first coaching change in 14 seasons.
Coley replaces Jeremy Blunt, who stepped down in January after one of the most successful runs in Virginia high school football history. Blunt led the Phantoms to four state championships in five state title appearances.
The opening drew about 30 applicants, but Phoebus administrators ultimately selected Coley, a familiar name within the program.
Coley spent the past two seasons as head coach at Woodside High School and previously served as head coach at Kecoughtan High School. He is no stranger to Phoebus, having spent nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Phantoms, a tenure that produced seven state championship rings.
During his first five seasons at Phoebus from 2007 to 2011, the Phantoms won four consecutive Class 5 state championships. Coley served as offensive coordinator for the 2011 title team and helped guide offenses that led the state in scoring and finished second in school history in total points.
A seven-time state champion overall, Coley has also been named conference head coach of the year twice during his career.
Coley acknowledged the challenge of following a coach of Blunt’s stature but said his experience and familiarity with the program position him well for the role.
Phoebus officials said Coley’s championship pedigree and deep ties to the school made him the right choice to continue the program’s tradition of success.