Andalusia’s search for a new coach

There has been no shortage of rumors about who the next Andalusia High School football coach will be. These are some of the more interesting names being tossed around as possible candidates for the vacancy. This compilation is based on rumors, and does not include input from the Andalusia administration.

The job opening, which has been posted on the school system’s website since Nov. 25, states the job will be “open until filled.”

Trent Taylor – Straughn High chool – Taylor just wrapped up his 25th season as the Tigers’ head coach, and has compiled a 183-121 record in his 27 years as a head coach. Taylor’s teams have appeared in 19 playoffs. Taylor is an alumnus of Andalusia High School. He was named 2012 3A Coach of the Year.

Shayne Wasden – Troy University – Wasden, currently an assistant coach at Troy University, coached for 11 years in the high school ranks at Opp and Eufaula. Wasden owns a 91-34 record over his high school coaching career and took teams to the playoffs 10 –of-11 seasons as a high school coach. He also played wide receiver at Auburn for coach Pat Dye.

Don Jacobs – Oneonta High School – Jacobs has coached in the high school ranks for eight years with a record of 70-22, Jacobs has led teams into the playoffs eight straight years, included three straight state championship appearances. Jacobs just finished his fourth season as Oneonta’s head coach.

He was a a wishbone quarterback for coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in the early 1980s. His wife is an Opp native.

Ed Rigby – Elba – Rigby has two seasons under his belt as a head coach, both at Elba. In those two seasons, Rigby has amassed a 21-5 record. His Tigers were the runners-up in the Class 2A state championship this year. Rigby has led the Tigers to the playoffs in each season he has coached.

Ribgy’s son, Ramsey, is a high school junior and played quarterback for the Tigers this year. His wife coaches women’s basketball at Troy University.

Tommy Parks – Upson-Lee (Ga.) – Parks just finished his fist season at Upson-Lee, leading them to a 7-3 record. Before going to Upson Lee, Parks coached at Harris County (Ga.) where he set the school records for wins in his last two seasons there. Parks has coached high school football for 11 seasons, and has a 61-57 record. Parks previously coached baseball at Andalusia, and played baseball of coach Steve Helms at LBW Community College.

Mike Dubose – Luverne – Dubose began his coaching career as defensive line coach for the university of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he spent to seasons. Dubose made stops at Southern Miss, Alabama, and the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers as defensive line coach before taking the head coach job at the University of Alabama in December of 1996. Dubose was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2000 after leading the Tide to a 10-3 record, including a 34-7 victory over the Florida Gators for the SEC championship. Dubose has coached in the high school ranks for six seasons with a 39-32 record, but is 36-15 in total seasons at Luverne. The Opp native has led Luverne to playoff berths in each of his four seasons there.

Ronnie Cottrell – Chickasaw – 11 seasons at the high school level with a record of 62-58. Has led teams to playoffs in six of his 11 years. Cottrell has spent time as head coach at Kinston, Flomaton, W.S. Neal, Carroll, Alma Bryant, and now Chickasaw. He had his best tenure at Flomaton, going 29-7 in three seasons. He also has been an assistant coach at Florida State and the University of Alabama.