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Pell City High School Fined For
Violation of AHSAA Recruiting Rule

Pell City High School has been fined and placed on probation for violating AHSAA Rule VI, Administration, Section 12, Recruiting, found on pages 69 and 70 of the 2025-2026 AHSAA Handbook.
As a result, any students in violation of this rule will be deemed permanently ineligible to participate in athletics at Pell City High School. The students can gain eligibility in the school district where the family resides.
In addition, the head football coach Jake Ganus will be suspended from coaching in the AHSAA for the 2026-2027 school year, and the school’s varsity football program is being placed on restrictive probation for the upcoming 2026 season. The team will be permitted to play its 10-game regular-season schedule but will be unable to participate in post-season play in 2026. Games played against Pell City High School will not count in the Class 5A, Region 5 region standings nor in any tiebreaker scenarios since the school will be ineligible for championship play.
“As a result, PCHS is required to appear before the Central Board of Control at its July 29, 2026, meeting to present a comprehensive administrative action plan and the internal controls that have been implemented,” said Heath Harmon, AHSAA Executive Director.