South Forsyth is reaching deep into south Georgia for its newest head football coach.

Jeff Arnette will become the War Eagles’ fourth head coach in eight seasons after being hired to replace Wendell Early, who resigned after two years.

Arnette has been a head coach twice before, at Oconee County and Elbert County. He was defensive coordinator for Oconee’s undefeated 1999 Class AAA state championship team before taking over as head coach of the Warriors for two seasons.

He has spent the last four years at Valdosta, serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Wildcats football team, as well as being the school’s assistant athletic director.

He previously spent seven years coaching in Tennessee.

“I’m extremely excited about the school system,” Arnette, 45, said when reached by phone to comment on his new job.

The coach said he enjoyed his two interviews with athletic director Keith Gravitt and principal Jason Branch.

“Those guys are just outstanding men, and I just was excited about working with [them]. I think the football program’s got all kinds of potential.”

Arnette inherits a program with plenty of room for improvement. After consecutive 3-7 seasons, the War Eagles struggled through a 1-9 campaign in the fall.

South will be in a new region and classification in 2010, moving down to Region 7-AAAA after spending six seasons in Region 7-AAAAA.

Arnette said he will focus on fundamentals, working hard in the weight room, and setting up a strong offensive line that will allow the team to run the ball effectively.

“It’s like I told the kids yesterday. We’re going in the first year and our goal’s to be in the playoffs. ... That’s why we coach, why we play. I think the potential’s there,” Arnette said Friday.

“I’m excited about the potential at South Forsyth. I believe the opportunity is great right here. I believe [the school] can be on the same level athletically as it is academically.”

Arnette hopes to finish up duties in Valdosta and report to work at South as early as March 1.

His wife Page, 6-year-old daughter Kennedy and 2-year-old son Jackson will naturally become new War Eagle fans.