New coaches highlight fifth-annual Prep Media Day
Coaches and players from all of the teams in the River Region took part in the annual Prep Media Day at Garrett Coliseum on Tuesday. (Photos by Drew Gayle)
By GRAHAM DUNN
Roy Upchurch knows a thing or two about winning.
The former All-SEC running back for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide played a key role in an SEC Championship as well the first of six national titles under Saban’s reign in 2009.
As of this summer, Upchurch has another goal - helping JAG (formerly Jeff Davis) High School to return to its winning ways.
“It takes a buy in,” Upchurch said. “As far as tradition, it’s there. The talent is there. We’ve got people walking the building who can play winning football.
“It’s time for these guys to dig deep and show they can fight.”
Upchurch was one of several new coaches in the River Region to appear at the fifth-annual Prep Media Day at Garrett Coliseum on Tuesday.
Other new coaches include Kenneth White at Percy Julian, Charles Biggers at Park Crossing and Bobby Carr at G.W. Carver, who all represent the four city schools. With Sidney Lanier no longer in existence, it is the first time the entire list of head coaches has been replaced in the same season.
Carr, who might be getting more attention due to his previous success and some controversy, is aware of the expectations.
“People ask me, ‘when are you going to win a championship,’” Carr said. “It’s a lot like the Dallas Cowboys in that expectations never waver. This program has always had talent but that only takes you so far.”
White knows all about the tradition of the school formerly known as Robert E. Lee. In fact, he is asking his players to embrace what the former Lee logo means.
“I want everybody to understand we are not letting Lee go,” White said. “Lee is in us. We are in the building still. We see the state championship trophies and pictures here. Spence McCracken and Coach (Jimmy) Perry…we are not trying to get away from that tradition. I understand the name change but we are trying to do this for these guys.”
Changes are not just in the city schools. Aubrey Blackwell returns to the Capital City Conference as the new coach at St. James. He spent several years as an assistant at Lee and took his first head coaching job at Catholic in 2015. He spent five years there and learned all about the rivalry between the Trojans and Knights.
The two open the season against each other on Aug. 23.
“That game every year was the most fun we had every year,” Blackwell said. “It’s one that needed to happen and we needed to continue to play (Catholic).”
Tallassee has a new coach with LA O’Neal taking over from Mike Battles, Jr. who had spent the better part of 12 years as the Tigers’ head coach.
O’Neal led B.T. Washington to the program’s first playoff victories last season.
“We are going to be physical and impose our will on people,” O’Neal said. “We have to stay healthy, peak at the right time. Play sound football and have a little luck on our side. If we can control the ball, not turn the ball over. We’ll see how we shape up.”
Jeff Foshee is back in the River Region and will lead Autauga Academy in to AHSAA play. Foshee spent 16 years as head coach at his alma mater, Stanhope Elmore but has bounced around several jobs in the last few years.
Autauga Academy leaves the Alabama Independent School Association and will play Class 1A this year.
Holtville also welcomes a new coach in Cory Lee, who will have his first stint as a head coach this season. He replaces Jason Franklin, who led the Bulldogs for seven seasons.
Several new flag football teams were also introduced on Tuesday including teams from Julian, Brewbaker Tech and Marbury.