Several high school football programs in the Tuscaloosa area have experienced significant coaching turnover in recent years. The Tuscaloosa News has conducted a review to assess the impact of these coaching changes, focusing on programs where head coaches are in their second or third seasons. The evaluation considered each program’s record under the current coach, compared to the three seasons preceding their arrival, and factored in region performance, playoff appearances, and scoring trends. The rankings are not solely based on wins and losses, but rather on the extent to which a coach has altered the program’s overall trajectory.
Brian Gunnels of Sulligent High School tops the rankings. Since taking over in 2023, Gunnels has led the Blue Devils to consecutive nine-win seasons, including a semifinal playoff appearance in 2024. His teams have consistently scored over 400 points annually and have become a perennial contender in Class 2A, competing effectively against region rivals such as Tuscaloosa Academy, Aliceville, and Lamar County. The team’s early 2025 record of 2-1, with a region win already secured, indicates continued momentum under Gunnels’ leadership.
DeMario Pippen, in his third year at Central High School, has also demonstrated considerable progress. Under Pippen’s leadership since 2023, the Falcons have achieved an overall record of 13-10 and a 6-8 record in Region 4, averaging 29.9 points per game while allowing 22.5. This marks a notable improvement from the 2020-2022 seasons under Rodney Bivens Jr., during which Central went 8-22 with a 6-13 region record. While a postseason breakthrough is still pending, the program’s trajectory appears to be moving in a positive direction.
Anthony Sawyer is in his second year as head coach at Aliceville High School. The Yellow Jackets, previously a consistent playoff team under Grady Griffin, experienced a 5-6 season with a first-round playoff exit in Sawyer’s first year. However, the team displayed promising moments, securing a pair of narrow region victories. Early in the 2025 season, Aliceville has shown signs of growth, including a decisive win over Pickens County and a near-upset against Tuscaloosa Academy. Continued improvement could see Sawyer restore Aliceville to its former status as a contender.
Brian Newton has been overseeing a rebuilding effort at Holt High School since 2023. Inheriting a program that had gone winless in 2022, Newton has shown signs of progress, even as the Ironmen are still striving to make a mark in Class 4A. Holt improved from one win in Newton’s first season to four victories in 2024, marking the program’s best performance since 2005. The team’s 2-1 start to the 2025 season suggests further potential for growth, potentially guiding Holt back to success after a challenging period.
Cory Cockrell’s tenure at Greene County High School, beginning in 2023, has been marked by inconsistency. After a two-win season in his first year, the Tigers rebounded with a 6-4 record in 2024, their best finish since 2011. The early part of the 2025 season has been less stable, with Greene County losing two of its first three games. Despite these recent struggles, the 2024 turnaround remains a significant achievement compared to the program’s performance in the years preceding Cockrell’s arrival.
