Coach’s Corner Week 1

Here we are, and wow, they’re letting me write another one of these things. Let’s make it quick! I’ll try and expound upon the reasons why I write this every week as we go, but let me get one thing straight. This article will NEVER ever be used to bash coaches or coaching decisions. Coaches already unfairly get way too much of that from their communities. Oftentimes it’s not even deserved. The average fence leaning dad that watches the Tide or the Tigers every weekend would be thoroughly embarrassed if he attended one coaches meeting. Things seem simple for the ill informed, while everyone who actually coaches this game knows the complexities behind it.

I’ve been trying to think about how I want to go about my weekly edition. I am sadly just one man, I cannot watch every game and find every great coaching decision. I can only really talk about what I watch and then check some scores. Think of this like Coach’s helmet stickers of the week. There will be some bias and some score board watching. But, it’s my article, I hope you like it. Also one last note, I mostly will mention head coaches. When I mention a program I am talking about their whole staff. It’s a lot easier to find the main man’s name. Every great head coach will tell you he can’t do it without his assistants. So just know, assistant coaches I see you.

Hoover: Want to talk about a man who gets a ton of unnecessary hate, that dude is Chip English. It is not an easy job coaching at that program. You are expected to win and win big and you have the resources to do it. As soon as coach got the job after being the interim, the whole community was already looking for its next head coach. But watch out now Hoover is 2-0 after two wins over good programs in Muscle Shoals and Opelika. The defense played great football, and with a great four minute offense drive to close the game out the Bucs are 2-0 with a big game at Hewitt next week.

Hillcrest Tuscaloosa: After two years in Alabama’s highest classification Hillcrest dropped back down to 5A. Then they decided to schedule two of their former region foes as the first two games of the year. After taking care of business week zero against Tuscaloosa County they had a tough challenge this week against Hewitt Trussville who was coming off a big win against Auburn High. Coach Jamie Mitchell and staff had their team ready to go as they took care of the Huskies by 20 points.

Columbia: Okay I mean this one is so obvious right. Longest losing streak in the state. Had not won a game since 2015. The whole nation watched, and they took care of business. I cannot imagine the rat poison from that and then having to prepare your team for a game 6 days later. But Coach Sammie Coates and staff did just that. They defeated East Limestone last night and now they are riding a winning streak! Way to go Coach Coates and staff.

Briarwood: With the shake up in the private schools, the Briarwood Lions were put in a weird spot. They had continuously been put in tough metro Birmingham regions often having to play schools that were two or three times bigger than them. Now in an all private region, I could see where they might be tempted to schedule some easier opponents and stay healthy for the grinding travel of their new region. Instead Coach Matthew Forester did the exact opposite opening with reigning 5A state Moody and then a 6A quarterfinalist from last year in Homewood. The Lions did not only hold their own but won both games. Great job by Coach Forester and staff. Dare I say a possible new favorite has emerged for Private AA.

Childersburg: Coming off an 0-10 season is never easy. Not a lot of excitement around the program, kids not coming out to play. Want to change that? Why not open the next season 2-0. That is exactly what Coach Matt Zedaker and staff have done at Childersburg. It also helps when it’s been against two local foes in B.B. Comer and Fayetteville. Things get tougher the rest of the way but I will be cheering for Coach Zedaker and staff.