Three schools found their head coaches as teams scramble for leaders as spring practices approaches. All three reached out to assistant coaches at other schools.
Moody hired Baldwin County offensive coordinator Adam Wallace, a former Blue Devil assistant coach. Wallace helped turn around the fortunes of Baldwin County, and hopes to do the same at Moody, his alma mater. Wallace graduated from Moody in 1995, and later was hired by John Grass to return to the Blue Devils.
“When I left Moody four years ago, I kind of told people I needed to leave so I could eventually have the opportunity to go back,” Wallace said. “I needed to experience something different, and Nate (Baldwin County head coach who is also his cousin) and I had talked about working together since we were children.”
Southeastern has named Kevin Byrd as their new head coach. Byrd has coached three years at Thomasville, eight seasons at Sweet Water and last three as an assistant at Clarke County. He spent several seasons with present Clarke County coach Stacy Luker, and was reunited when Luker came to the Grove Hill school last year.
Byrd’s first head coaching job will certainly be a challenge. In six years of football, Southeastern has won just eight of 58 games and has never won a region game (0-and-38). “I think one important thing is we will stress defense,” said Byrd on Al.com. “We will be a ball-control offense – coach Luker’s brand of football. We won’t necessarily run all the time, but we will do whatever keeps the defense on the sideline. This school has some talent and some of it is young so that is exciting.”
West Morgan named Leeds offensive coordinator Mikel Riggs as its new leader. Riggs has been on Lee Gibson’s staff for two seasons. Before that he coached for two years at his alma mater, T.R. Miller with his father, and spent three seasons coaching defensive backs with Todd Watson at Foley.
West Morgan is coming off a 10-2 season and a trip to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs under John Ritter.
“This is just something where I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity,” Riggs said. “I’ve known that I wanted to be a head football coach since I was in first grade. Being able to do it at a place like West Morgan, that is on the upswing of things, it’s kind of like a perfect storm.”
Riggs said that “the community understands what it takes to be successful because they’ve been there and done that. Football matters and it’s important to the community, the administration and the school.” It will be the first head job for the 30 year old coach.
Here is the latest list of coaching changes this offseason.
Arab Adam Gilbert Oscar Glasscock
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 Derone Fagan
Center Point Shawn Gregory George Bates
Chickasaw John Beverly Jason Rowell
Clay Central Chris Herron Danny Horn
Clements Cody McCain Unfilled
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
Hanceville Craig Flanigan Cody McCain
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
Moody Jay Brown Adam Wallace
New Hope Kenny Chadwick Bart Stephenson
Oneonta Brandon Herring Phil Phillips
Opelika Caleb Ross Erik Speakman
Park Crossing Smitty Grider Unfilled
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
Southeastern Michael Burkett Kevin Byrd
Tanner Maurice Belser Unfilled
T.R. Miller Andrew Thomas Keith Etheredge
Vincent Wiley McKellar Unfilled
West Limestone Jordan Cantrell Unfilled
West Morgan John Ritter Mikel Riggs
Winston County Bart Stephenson Mark Mitchell
Woodlawn George Bates Unfilled
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