Commerce is banking on new coach, top-notch facilities, wide-open offense

Lenny Gregory wasn’t looking for a change this winter. He was settled and building at Gordon Central, where he ended the program’s 31-game losing streak last season and finished with a historic playoff berth.

In January, out of the blue, he received a call. It was from Commerce, and when he thought about the rich tradition there and the new facilities, he was hooked.

Commerce is building a $9 million multi-level fieldhouse with a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility and weight room. The facility will rival some college programs, with a player lounge, coaching offices, meeting rooms and a modern locker room.

“To see that investment and then be able to go to work for a school that’s the 16th-winningest program in the state of Georgia, and this is going to be the 100th season in Commerce football, it really excited me,” Gregory said.

Commerce has played 99 seasons and won 660 games, claimed 19 region titles (tied for 27th) and won two state championships (1981, 2000).

Gregory sees Commerce as a place where he can win another state championship, adding to the one he captured in 2021 with Travis Hunter as his star player.

Gregory arrives at Commerce after a two-year stint at Gordon Central, where his team went 4-7 last season, the school’s best finish and first playoff appearance since 2012.

Before Gordon Central, Gregory coached Collins Hill to the Class 7A championship. He took over that program in 2017, after it had gone 2-8 the year before his arrival. Gregory was 46-28 there over six seasons.

“You win a state championship at Collins Hill in ’21, and everybody thinks that’s the pinnacle,” Gregory said. “It’s great — but watching a group of seniors (at Gordon Cental) win the first high school football game of their careers is just as satisfying.”

In his first months on the job, Gregory has focused on getting the most out of his players in the weight room. He says nothing was wrong, but he’s just different and does things his way.

“What I do, what I demand is not easy,” Gregory said. “I’m a little old-school.”

In other ways, Gregory is new school. He brings a wide-open spread offense to Commerce, similar to the one he ran at Collins Hill, and fans will definitely notice the difference. Before Gregory, the Tigers were a triple-option team with two 1,000-yard rushers and a third back with 870 yards on an 8-4 team.

“We just finished up our fourth 7-on-7 at the Corky Kell (camp) and finished in the final four,” Gregory said. “They say, ‘Wait, you didn’t win it,’ but, heck, we’re a (Class) A school, and we’re in the final four throwing the ball, and this team has never thrown the ball.”

Having your passing game mentioned alongside those of North Gwinnett, Hughes and North Oconee is quite a leap.

Gregory has enjoyed the addition of basketball players J.J. Jarrells and Essien Lockleer. He says they’ve been special all offseason, and their interest in football increased when word around the school was that they would be passing the ball.

Gregory is expecting big things from cornerback Ty Sorrels. With this new offense, he and others will be moving over to the offensive side. Only a junior, a lot will be expected of him.

“It doesn’t matter who’s the coach,” Gregory said. “That guy (Sorrels) is such a dynamic player. As long as he’s bought in, it (his talent) will speak for itself.”

Outside linebacker Caden McWilliams is Gregory’s main guy on the defense. He says McWilliams is the heart and soul of that unit. Gregory likes his size. As a self-proclaimed “a little old-school” guy, McWilliams reminds him of old-school linebackers.

As for Commerce’s traditions, Gregory is learning and enjoying those. Commerce’s logo pictures a normal tiger with green eyes. He was told a story about a groundskeeper thinking he would do the team a favor and give the tiger “the eye of the tiger.” Let’s just say that didn’t go over well.

“Don’t mess with the green eyes,” Gregory said, laughing. “So, if you ever come to Commerce High School and see them, now you’ll know — that’s a big tradition here.”

As Commerce enters its 100th season, Gregory is focused on honoring the program’s past while building a new future.