GDW Analysis:
Plenty of coaching changes have taken place before the start of the 2025 AHSAA football season.
Locally, the only change is at Cullman High School. Trent Walker is now leading the Bearcats after spending the past 3 years coaching at nearby Lawrence County High School in Moulton.
Gameday Weekly looks at the following coaching changes that involve programs playing county teams for 2025.
Addison:
Mark Hastings now coaching the Bulldogs after David Smothers stepped down. The Bulldogs pair up with the Good Hope Raiders in a game from AG Hicks Stadium September 26.
Brewer:
Jordan Miller is the new leader for Brewer, replacing Matt Plunkett.
The Patriots will get the Cullman Bearcats to visit their campus in Florette on September 26.
Decatur Heritage:
The Eagles have a new leader in Rich Dutton. Dutton replaces Nikita Stover.
Fultondale:
For the Wildcats, Jake Hogan has replaced Keon Handley. Fultondale competes in 4A, Region 5 with the Good Hope Raiders.
Gordo:
The Green Wave is now led by Chris Chambliss, taking over for Gus Smith. Gordo plays at Hanceville September 6 and host Vinemont October 10 in 3A, Region 5 assignments.
Hayden:
The Wildcats have hired Chad Eades in replacing Keith Register. Hayden matches up with the West Point Warriors in a regular season game September 26.
Lawrence County:
With Trent Walker now at Cullman, Lawrence County has filled his vacancy by hiring Brett Voss. Lawrence County plays in 5A, Region 7 with the Fairview Aggies and West Point Warriors.
Lynn:
The Bears have hired Steve Cagle after Mark Hastings moved up the road to coach the Addison Bulldogs.
Oakman:
At the 3A school in Walker County, the Wildcats have hired Ben Panter, replacing Ryan Hall. Oakman faces the Hanceville Bulldogs and Vinemont Eagles in Region 5,
Springville:
Over in St. Clair County, the Tigers have Chris Metcalf now in command, taking over for Jon Clements. Springville plays Fairview in the Aggies' season opener August 29 from Fairview.
Sylvania:
Up in Sand Mountain, the Rams have a new hire in Brad Waldrop, replacing Tanner Nelson. Sylvania competes in 3A, Region 8 with the Holly Pond Broncos. They will play at Holly Pond September 12.
Columbia:
The 6A school in Huntsville hired Sammie Coates to replace Sean Watson. Columbia will host the Cullman Bearcats in a Region 7 game October 10.
Columbia currently has a 91 game losing streak, the longest in the AHSAA.
Photo of the Cullman Bearcats in a recent season.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
