AHSAA honors champion coaches
By Kadin Pounders
For the FCT
On Friday, July 24, the Alabama High School Athletic Association ended the 2014-15 year by honoring its championship teams at the annual Coaches Championship Awards Banquet.
Three Franklin County teams won state championships this year in three different sports. Russellville took home the 5A boys golf and 5A baseball state championships, while Red Bay won the 2A girls basketball title in February.
Russellville golf coach Ryan Brewer was not able to attend the banquet but said getting recognition for a championship never feels bad.
“It’s cool to be a part of a championship, and it’s an honor to be recognized for it,” he said. “Not many players or coaches get the chance to win a championship.”
Red Bay girls’ basketball coach Donnie Roberts and Russellville baseball coach Chris Heaps were both in attendance at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center, and each was impressed with the ceremony the AHSAA put on.
“It was a first class event,” said Heaps. “They recognized every (championship) school and their sport from (classifications) 1A to 7A.”
The coaches were also given awards and small gifts to commemorate their accomplishments.
“It was a really nice event. They gave each coach a plaque and a nice watch,” said Roberts. “Me and my wife had a great time.”
The banquet allowed the three local coaches one last moment to soak in their successes from this past year, but soon it was back to business as usual.
“We won a state championship, so now we can mark that off our list,” said Brewer. “Now we’ve got to go out and get better.”
For many teams, complacency can start to set in after winning a championship. Complacency is something these coaches are hoping their teams can avoid.
“I brought a couple (players) into my office and told them we’ve got to put away the fact that we’re state champions. Once the new season starts, we’re not state champions anymore,” said Heaps. “When you win a championship, every other team is going to be gunning for you.”
Roberts, the winningest coach in state history, has been no stranger to success and championships over the course of his career. As a coach for over 40 years, he agrees that each team brings different things to the table.
“After last week, the celebration is over, and it’s time to get back to business,” he said. “I’ve been in this business a long time, and I’ve never had a team repeat. Each season is different. You can’t go off what your team did last year.”
