New football coaches awaiting for 2025 season to arrive:
Jamboree games this week will be a good test for new coaches:
GDW Analysis:
Administrators and athletic directors at high schools set it up in something that will annually happen when a new school year begins.
Coaching changes.
This week is officially the start for AHSAA football. A group of teams will be on the field later this week for preseason jamboree games.
The schools who have a new leader on the gridiron will use this as an advantage before the season kicks off across the state on August 21 & 22.
Gameday Weekly is looking at several schools with a coaching change.
We break it down by providing details for these programs as each will be seeing a school GDW covers regularly in upcoming time.
Cullman:
Trent Walker is at his alma mater after coaching Lawrence County for the last 3 years, getting the Red Devils to the 5A playoffs in back to back seasons.
Cullman has been a .500 squad the past two seasons in knowing a tough 6A, Region 7 is in front of them to start the Walker era.
Cullman will play in a jamboree at Winston County Friday with a half vs. Winston County at 5:30 p.m. and a half vs. Cordova around 7:30 p.m.
Season opener for the Bearcats will be vs. Bob Jones August 22 at Britton Field/Woodard Stadium.
Addison:
Mark Hastings has been coaching football in Winston County four consecutive seasons. Now he is in Addison after showing success at Lynn High School, located in the Southwest portion of the county.
The last three years for Hastings with Lynn produced 32 victories out of 38 games and good runs in the 1A postseason.
Addison came out at 6 & 5 in 2024.
Hastings has the Bulldogs playing at Lynn Thursday in a jamboree.
The season opener for Addison will be August 22 at AG Hicks Stadium against Winston County. The Bulldogs will be going for their 600th victory all time in this contest. '
Addison continues a great rivalry with Good Hope when the Raiders visit them in non regional play September 26.
Brewer:
The Patriots have given Jordan Miller his first opportunity to lead a team in the AHSAA.
Miller takes over the 5A school in Morgan County that was 2 & 8 last season.
Brewer will have games vs. the Cullman Bearcats at home September 26 and finish the regular on October 31 at the West Point Warriors.
Fultondale:
Down in Jefferson County, the Wildcats will be battling teams with rookie coach Jake Hogan.
Hogan is a head coach for the first time.
The Wildcats were 2 & 7 in 20024.
Fultondale will start the season with a game on the home field against the Fairview Aggies.
The Wildcats welcome the Good Hope Raiders to town September 5 in a 4A, Region 5 game.
Hayden:
Chad Eads moves from Gardendale to Hayden. Eads has been on the gridiron for 8 seasons.
Hayden is looking to better results with Eads after the Wildcats posted two wins in 10 games last season.
The Wildcats will continue their rivalry with the West Point Warriors when they visit West Point Stadium September 26.
Lawrence Co:
Brett Voss is the successor to Trent Walker in the town of Moulton.
Voss will be in his first year as a head coach.
Lawrence County will see a pair of county teams in back to back weeks for 5A, Region 7 play.
Lawrence County will host West Point September 12 and play at Fairview on the 19th.
Oakman:
At the 3A school in Walker County, Ben Panter is now the coach of the Wildcats.
Panter is in his first season from the head ranks.
Oakman will meet two schools from the county for competition in 3A, Region 5.
The Wildcats have Hanceville coming to campus September 19.
Oakman and Vinemont will battle October 17 at Mark Smothers Stadium. Oakman went 4 & 6 in 2024.
Springville:
For the Tigers, the 5A program in St. Clair County is under command by Chris Metcalf.
Metcalf is a first year head coach.
Springville will be in Cullman County in the 2nd week, traveling to the Fairview Aggies August 29.
Springville was 3 & 7 last season.
Photo of Addison coach Mark Hastings (center) during a 7 on 7 camp at Good Hope High School July 15.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
