TFA announces athletics department restructure, Jeff Conaway will focus solely on coaching

Following the FHSAA's sanctions against its football team, which saw the forfeiture of all 2024 wins and a two-year postseason ban, The First Academy announced a shift in its athletics department structure. According to a letter sent out to TFA families by Head of School Dr. Steve Whitaker, football coach Jeff Conaway will focus exclusively on coaching rather than serving as both athletics director and coach.

“As part of a proactive strategy, we are moving toward a model in which the Athletic Director role is exclusively administrative,” Dr. Whitaker wrote. “This structure, which served us well for many years, may have prevented some of the difficulties we recently experienced had it been in place. Our return to a leader who serves as full-time AD allows our coaches to dedicate themselves to their teams fully and positions the AD to integrate the school’s mission into each sport, working closely with the FHSAA and monitoring steady growth across all girls' and boys' sports at all grade levels. This means Coach Jeff Conaway will focus all his attention on coaching football and transition out of his AD role. Jeff has been faithful in mentoring and encouraging his coaches and players. Since our first meeting, he and I have grown to love and appreciate one another. His positive influence will continue as he focuses on strengthening our JV and Varsity teams and building a solid foundation for our Lower and Middle School football programs. Most importantly, we are grateful for his continued commitment to TFA as we walk in God’s grace, mercy, and goodness.”

As part of Dr. Whitaker’s letter, Conaway also commented on the transition.

"Today, Dr. Whitaker and I have decided it’s best to transition from my role as Athletic Director and focus solely on coaching football,” Conaway wrote. “We have faced moments that have tested our program and our community. … When executing my vision for our football program, we faced growth challenges and made some mistakes. I take responsibility and regret not navigating this more appropriately. I will learn from this and grow stronger. To each of you, I offer my sincerest apologies.”

TFA’s former AD Will Cohen will serve as the interim while the school searches for a replacement.

"With nine years of experience as AD and two as Assistant AD, Will is uniquely equipped to provide steady leadership during this time," Dr. Whitaker wrote. "His priorities include working closely with the FHSAA, overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive improvement plan, and supporting the search for a permanent Athletic Director."