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A weekly look at high school sports in the state of Alabama over the past week and what’s on the agenda. This is an opinion piece (sort of).
There aren’t many things that surprise me in sport anymore.
But I have to admit that I was surprised on Friday morning.
It was at this point that it was announced on social media that former Vigor football coach John McKenzie would become rival Murphy High’s new coach.
The move has yet to be approved by the Mobile County Board of Commissions, but that’s — in most cases — just a formality.
McKenzie was the AL.com Coastal Alabama Coach of the Year in 2021 after leading the Wolves to a 14-1 record and the Class 4A state championship. However, he was placed on administrative leave in February for unknown reasons. Since then, he has not returned any calls or messages from AL.com.
The usual rule of thumb was that he probably wouldn’t be at Vigor or any other Mobile County public school in the future. That was half right.
We may never know exactly what happened at Vigor earlier this year, which resulted in McKenzie being placed on administrative leave. But what we obviously know now is that removing him entirely from the district wasn’t bad enough.
“This is a fresh start for Coach McKenzie, and we look forward to seeing what he can do on a historic program like Murphy,” said Rena Philips, communications director for Mobile County Public Schools.
In his two years at Vigor, McKenzie was never one to shy away from the press. He gets his chance again at the Mobile County Football Media Days in mid-July. Will he address anything that happened between Vigor’s state championship win in early December and his February leave?
Probably not.
In the meantime, he has a big task ahead of him. Murphy won just two games a year ago, hasn’t won a playoff game since 2008, and is entering the brutal Class 6A, Region 1 competition this fall.
The McKenzie news briefly overshadowed the news that former Auburn star Antonio Coleman would be Williamson’s interim head coach this fall. Coleman was the team’s defensive coordinator and led practice since Melvin Pete Jr. was not renewed.
Coleman has always been one of my favorite interviews and he will be heavily invested in the success of his alma mater. He has played a key role in the wins of NFL second-round draft pick Roger McCreary and Auburn freshman Robert Woodyard, among others.
Time will tell if Coleman deserves the job on a permanent basis.
The news about Coleman and McKenzie only leaves McKenzie’s previous role as head coach of Vigor among the MCPSS schools technically open. However, longtime assistant coach Markus Cook has led the team since February and is expected to be the coach this fall.
More coaching news
As expected, former Escambia Academy coach – and Pike Liberal Arts coach for short – Hugh Fountain was approved as the new football coach at WS Neal this week. Former coach of WS Neal Brandon Wilcox was appointed head coach at Fountain’s previous job, Escambia Academy. Pike Liberal Arts named former Pike Road DC Travis Baxley as head coach.
Eufaula turned to a hometown hero to replace Ed Rigby as head football coach. The Tigers signed former quarterback and Troy star Jerrel Jernigan this week. Jernigan learned he had been hired on his 33rd birthday.
Fairhope Hall of Fame baseball coach Stu Fuller resigned Thursday after 23 years at the helm of the Pirates. Fuller, 57, told AL.com he’s not done coaching but wants some flexibility to watch his son Keaton pitch for Troy.
Former Baker softball star Meghan Trehern has been hired to replace longtime Honeybees coach Tony Scarbrough, who resigned this spring. However, Scarbrough is not allowed to be trained. Stay tuned.
Recruitment News
The biggest in-state news of the week came Thursday when Central-Phenix City signed DB AJ Harris for Kirby Smart and Georgia. Harris, who began his career at Glenwood, has long been considered a Georgia Lean. Harris is the No. 5 senior recruit in the state according to the 247 composite rankings.
He is the third member of the top 10 to sign, alongside Florence DB Jahlil Hurley (No.3) and Briarwood QB Christopher Vizzina. No. 10 Northridge OL Wilkin Fomby is due to announce his pick on Monday while No. 4 Thompson DL will sign Peter Woods on July 8th.
treat:
Pinson Valley WR Amare Thomas Committed to Virginia on Friday.
Saraland 2025 WR Ryan Williams got an offer for alabama after camping there this week.
Outstanding in Baker basketball Labaron Philothe reigning Class 7A Player of the Year, received an offer from reigning national champion Kansas.
Fairhope running back CJ Edwards (1) carries the ball against Spanish Fort in the first half of a spring prep football game Thursday, May 12, 2016, in Fairhope, Ala. Edwards was killed in Fairhope last week. (Mike Kittrell/[email protected])
gone too soon
Former Fairhope football and basketball star CJ Edwards was shot dead at his home last week. He was only 22.
Edwards graduated from Fairhope in 2018.
Football coach and sporting director Tim Carter was among those shaken by the news.
“CJ was such a great young man,” Carter said. “He made such a positive impact on our school as a student and as an athlete. He had a positive attitude, was an extremely hard worker and a great performer. He made the difference no matter what arena he was in. He was a special football and basketball player.”
Carter remembered Edwards as a member of a key group that turned a 2-8 record in 2016 into an 8-3 playoff roster in 2017. Edwards was a second-team All-State selection as a wide receiver
“He was just a very special kid,” Carter said. “Very positive. Much loved by his teammates and coaches. He was very easy to coach, always listening and very attentive. He was a playmaker in football and basketball, but he was never bigger than the team.
“His loss had a huge impact on his teammates because they loved him so much. Several players have contacted me in disbelief. It’s a devastating loss, but C.J’s life has been a great example of how to go about life every day.”
thoughts for the week
“There are many rooms in my father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you that I would prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2.
80s quote of the week
“If I can change and you can change, anyone can change.” – Rocky Balboa in Rocky III.
Ben Thomas is a high school sportswriter AL.com. Follow him on Twitter @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. His weekly column appears every Friday on AL.com. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. on the free IHeart Radio app.