J.R. Tidwell/FCT Nina Jackson is the new head softball coach at Phil Campbell High School. Her husband Doug will be the assistant coach, the same position he held under Darit Riddle last season.

PHIL CAMPBELL — Phil Campbell High School has filled the post left open when former head softball coach Darit Riddle stepped down at the end of last season.

Nina and Doug Jackson will take on coaching duties for the Lady Bobcats starting next season.

Nina Jackson will be the head coach, and her husband Doug will continue his role as the assistant coach.

He was Coach Riddle’s assistant for three years at Phil Campbell prior to the coaching change.

“It’s been our dream for many years to coach,” Nina Jackson said. “It started back when our oldest, Lindsey, started playing USSSA and being around the Phil Campbell and East Franklin girls. They have a tremendous amount of talent, and we’d like to help them out.”

Lindsey Jackson recently graduated from Phil Campbell High School and was the Lady Bobcats starting pitcher.

The Jacksons’ other daughter, Leeah, plays for her dad on the North Alabama Kraze ’00 and will be entering high school soon. Doug Jackson has coached for the Kraze for nine years.

“You have to love the game, and we love softball,” Nina Jackson said. “If we didn’t we wouldn’t participate in it as much as we do.”

The Lady Bobcats are coming off a good season in 2A softball, but the change in the head coaching spot will not be the only difference next season.

Phil Campbell’s area opponents will feature two new teams in Colbert Heights and Cherokee, along with Red Bay, who is the only remaining area opponent from last season.

Phil Campbell will also have to rebuild after losing several key players to graduation.

“We lost four girls,” Doug Jackson said. “That’s a huge loss, and we only have two seniors now, but we’re looking for a bright future. As long as the girls will work hard and buy into the way we teach them we will get better as a team every year.”

The Jacksons also want their players to continue to be successful after graduation.

“Our main goal is to help the girls in Phil Campbell get scholarships, and we want them to be successful academically and athletically,” Nina Jackson said.