When Stan Gann passed away in February of 2022, Georgia lost a beloved former coach and perhaps the state’s biggest high school football star from the 1950s. Following his senior season in 1957, he was named AJC Class 3A Back of the Year, Senior Scholastic All-American and Wigwam Wiseman All-American after leading Northside-Atlanta to a Class 3A Championship against Columbus under coach Wayman Creel. Nicknamed “The Man,” Gann was a first-team AJC All-State quarterback in the state’s highest classification during his junior and senior years, becoming the only junior to do so in 1956. That same year, Gann passed and ran for seven touchdowns in each category, and kicked 26 extra points as a true jack of all trades player. Considered the state’s top prospect, he received 23 scholarship opportunities and chose to attend Georgia Tech. As a Yellow Jacket, he started two seasons as a quarterback and running back and had 11 total touchdowns in three years. After his playing career, Gann turned to high school coaching and became the offensive coordinator for two Warner Robins state-championship teams. He was the head coach at Northside-Warner Robins from 1986 to 1993 where he achieved an overall record of 55-37 and led the Eagles to a quarterfinals appearance in 1992, the first trip to the quarterfinals for Northside since 1978.
