Here are some of the quotes from some of the head football coaches hired over the last month in Alabama.
Pell City's Rush Propst
Steve Mask is the new head coach at Theodore, returning to the Mobile area after a year at Pell City. “This is my home. It was important to get back. I want to finish my career here, retire here. When this opportunity afforded itself, it was an opportunity I just felt I had to look into. Theodore is a great school with a great tradition. I’m thrilled to have the chance to lead this team.”
Barrett Trotter has taken over the program at Bayside Academy. “We have a lot of family at Bayside. My wife went there. It kind of feels like going back home. It’s a neat experience and one I don’t take lightly. Coming back to Briarwood, my high school, has been unbelievable. I have a ton of friends and family here. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything, but I’m excited for the new opportunity.”
Six time state champion coach Stacy Luker has accepted the head coach position at Cottage Hill Christian in Mobile. “I’ve spent most of my coaching life along Highway 43. Now to go into Mobile, which is a hotbed for talent and great high school football, is exciting. It’s going to be a challenge, but I wanted to give it a shot before my career winds down.”
Former Tuskegee great Justin Hannah was the defensive coordinator at Jackson Olin before taking the Murphy High School job. “The kids are really receptive of what we’re expecting of them. It’s a new day. I’m excited and the kids are excited. Everybody’s buying into the program and the kids want to play and be involved.”
Jonathan Miller leaves Saks after 11 successful years to take over for Steve Smith at Piedmont. Leaving Saks was tough for Miller who had sent 22 years there as a n assistant and head coach. “It was tough talking to my team at Saks. That’s been the worst part of my day, to be honest. You invest a lot of time with these guys and they become like a second family to you. It’s tough. I’ve been fortunate that it’s not something I’ve had to do.
Not only did I think about the team that was sitting in front of me, but I thought back about all the kids I’d coached at Saks through the years. It brought back a lot of good memories. The last time I’d be addressing them at Saks was tough, though.”