Sometimes a coach just needs a change, or maybe another opportunity. Sometimes a coach rebuilds a program and is rewarded with a step upward. All of those things seem to be happening as schools rush to hire coaches in time for spring practice.
Russellville hired West Morgan coach John Ritter as their new head football coach. Ritter took West Morgan from football obscurity to a 10 win season. The Rebels had won but 2 games in the three previous seasons when Ritter arrived. After suffering through an 0-10 first campaign, Ritter led the Rebels to a 7-4 and then a 10-2 season. Ritter had previously been head coach at Red Bay where he went 16-7 in two seasons. He replaces Mark Heaton who resigned in February.
Park Crossing’s Smitty Grider is leaving the Montgomery school to take a new challenge at Hazel Green. Grider led the Eagles to great success in their first few seasons. He went 38-9 in four campaigns, including a 13-1 record and semi final berth in 2016 and a 10-2 record last year. Before becoming head coach at Park Crossing, Grider spent 8 seasons as head coach at Beauregard. He was the 4A Coach of the Year after an 11-2 season in 2012 and won 64 games there.
Wayne White has been named the new head coach at Dothan High School, becoming the first coach to serve as the head man at both Northview and Dothan. White led the Northview program from 2009 through 2011. He has spent the past six seasons as head coach at Carver Magnet School in Dothan.
White is a 1991 graduate of Dothan High School, and served as assistant coach and defensive coordinator there from 1997-2005. He played at UAB after graduating from Dothan. He is thrilled to be able to come back to his alma mater. The Tigers were 6-15 the last two seasons under Kevin Jackson, who resigned in January.
“I feel extremely humbled and honored,” White said in the Dothan Eagle. “There is no doubt to me that this is a God thing. Anybody that knows my journey understands that. I had a lot of prayers go up and He answered. This was God’s will.”
Here is the latest list of coaching changes this offseason.
Arab Adam Gilbert Unfilled
Ardmore Andrew Smith (interim) P.J. Wright
Ashford Mitch Sellars Unfilled
B.B. Comer Mike Battles, Sr. Adam Fossett
B.C. Rain Tellis Stone Unfilled
Benjamin Russell Danny Horn Kevin Smith
Bessemer City Quintin Jackson Unfilled
Center Point Shawn Gregory George Bates
Chickasaw John Beverly Jason Rowell
Clay Central Chris Herron Danny Horn
Corner Zac Willis John Clements
Cottage Hill David Peebles Chris Brazzell
Cullman Mark Britton Matt Plunkett
Dale County Pate Harrison Don Moore
Danville Josh LouAllen Shannon McGregory
Dothan Kevin Jackson Wayne White East Lawrence Jarrod Helms Matthew Pettus
Elba Ed Rigby Pate Harrison
Ellwood Christian Mike Stokes Unfilled
Elmore County Norman Dean Jordan Cantrell
Eufaula Bryan Moore Ed Rigby
Faith Academy Jeff Estes Jack French
Florence J.B. Wallace Will Hester
Fultondale Richie Busby Don Dover
Gardendale Matt Plunkett Chad Eads
Glencoe Rusty Davis Brian Alred
Hazel Green Will Wagnon Smitty Grider
Helena Watt Parker Richie Busby
Houston Academy Jimmy Addison Jamie Riggs
Jasper Heath Brunner Bryan Moore
Mary Montgomery Chris Wilson Stan Cain
Minor Curtis Graves Adrian Abrams
New Hope Kenny Chadwick Bart Stephenson
Oneonta Brandon Herring Phil Phillips
Opelika Caleb Ross Erik Speakman
Pell City Keith Etheredge Wayne Lee
Phil Campbell Ryan Swinney Keith Barnwell
Prattville Chad Anderson Caleb Ross
Priceville Dirk Strunk Jason Simmons
Ragland Brian Alred Derrick Sewell
Robertsdale Brian Campbell Chase Smith
Russellville Mark Heaton John Ritter
Satsuma Justin Thomas Unfilled
Smiths Station Adam Fossett Mike Glisson
T.R. Miller Andrew Thomas Keith Etheredge
West Limestone Jordan Cantrell Unfilled
West Morgan John Ritter Unfilled
Winston County Bart Stephenson Mark Mitchell
Woodlawn George Bates Unfilled
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