GDW Analysis:
HOLLY POND: Tim Willoughby spent 23 years on the sidelines coaching basketball in the AHSAA with 15 being inside Cullman County at three different programs.
Willoughby announced Thursday he is retiring from the game.
His last three years were at Holly Pond after he led Cold Springs for 10 years and was at Hanceville prior to that for a couple of years.
The Cold Springs' venture was 165 victories with a pair of Cullman County championships from 2014 and 2021. The Eagles were area champions six times with three seasons concluded by 22 victories.
His best single season for Cold Springs was 24 & 7 and an area title in 2014/15.
In three years with Holly Pond, the Broncos earned 35 victories. His 2025 team gained a lot of attention when the No. 4 seed upset top seed West Point in the semifinal round of the Cullman County tournament at Wallace State.
The Broncos were 11 & 12 in 2025/26, finishing 3rd in the regular season in Class 3A Area 11.
Willoughby's success on the hardwood has earned him recognition into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame.
Willoughby is the 2nd coach in the county system to step down after 2026.
Recently, Stephen Chandler said goodbye to a good tenure at Hanceville High School.
No timetable has been announced on the task of replacing Willoughby at Holly Pond.
Photo of Holly Pond coach Tim Willoughby (left) in pregame meeting with Cold Springs' coach Drew Adams November 18 at Holly Pond.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
