After last month’s resignation of Jacob Massey, Long Beach High School did not wait long – or look far – for its new head football coach.
The Long Beach School District announced Cody Finley has been promoted to head coach of the Bearcats. Finley has served the past three seasons as offensive line coach at Long Beach.
“We are thrilled to have Cody Finley step into the role of head football coach,” Superintendent Dr. Talia Lock said. “His dedication, expertise, and ability to inspire and lead our student-athletes make him the perfect fit for our program. We look forward to the continued growth and success of Bearcat football under his leadership. We are confident that Coach Finley will inspire our student-athletes to achieve great success both on and off the field.”
Before joining the staff at Long Beach, Finley served as head coach at Gibson County High School in Dyer, Tenn., from 2016 to 2022. There, he led the team to a 24-35 record – including back-to-back winning seasons for a program that had only four winning seasons in the prior 42 years.
Finley’s resume also includes a head coaching stint at Stewart County High School (2013-16) and Cheatham County Central High School (2002-12), both in Tennessee. His leadership at Cheatham County was particularly distinguished, as he guided the team to the playoffs in nine seasons. He was honored as the Region 6AAA Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2012.
“Coach Finley brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of building successful programs while fostering positive relationships with student-athletes. His dedication to both athletic achievement and academic success aligns perfectly with our school’s values,” athletic director Shane Rutledge said. “With his extensive background in coaching, teaching, and mentoring, we are confident that Coach Finley will inspire our student-athletes and lead our football program to new heights.”
Finley, who has a career head coaching record of 95-108 with his best season being a 12-1 mark at Cheatham County in 2012, is ready for a new chapter as head coach of Long Beach. He believes the transition will be seamless, considering he’s been with the program for the past three seasons.
“As a member of the previous staff, I already have a relationship with the current players, which should allow for a smooth transition,” Finley said. “The only way to get better as a football team is to outwork your opponents and teach your players the skills necessary to compete. I look forward to building on the culture already set by Coach (Jacob) Massey and taking our program to the next level. I believe we can have a successful winning program at LBHS.”
