THOMASVILLE – The Thomasville Bulldogs’ plans for spring practice have been put on hold following the departure of head coach Zach Grage to Lowndes.

Thomasville was slated to begin spring practice on April 27 with its spring game scheduled for May 13. But that timeframe has changed following Grage’s hire by the Vikings on Tuesday.

“We’ve put (spring practice) on hold right now,” Thomasville athletic director Jeremy Rayburn said. “Our ultimate goal is to still have some sort of spring practice.”

The spring game that was scheduled against Seminole County was canceled weeks ago. If the Bulldogs can follow through with practice, they will hold an intra-squad scrimmage to cap the spring. Rayburn said, “We’re going to move quickly,” when asked about a timeframe to have a new coach hired.

“I think the timing is not great, but obviously Thomasville is Thomasville,” Rayburn said. “One thing I told everybody that has asked how hard is it going to be, Thomasville’s Thomasville. It’s been here a long time. It’s going to be here a lot longer than any of us are around. We’re going to be able to get a good football coach, because that’s just something that happens at Thomasville. 

“It’s hard because of the timing and it stinks for that reason. Other than that, I believe with all of my heart that we’re going to find the best man for this job and the best man to continue the tradition of Thomasville football.”

Offensive coordinator and long-time staff member Jonathan DeLay has been named the interim head coach in order to oversee day-to-day operations of the football program.