Alabama

Hartselle hires South Alabama assistant as baseball coach

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

Hartselle hires South Alabama assistant as baseball coach

The Hartselle City Schools Board of Education approved the hiring of University of South Alabama pitching coach Brad Phillips as the new head baseball coach at a special meeting Tuesday night.

Phillips takes the job to replace the late William Booth, who died on May 15 – the day before his team started the Class 6A state championship finals series. The Tigers finished runner-up to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa for the title, falling 2-1 in the three-game series.

Hartselle athletic director and assistant baseball coach Jake Miles led the team, along with assistants John Hall, Keith Wright and Jacob Cole, in Booth’s absence this season. Booth, who compiled a 1,217-520 record in 36 years and led the team to nine state championships, was able to attend only two games as Hartselle finished the regular season ranked No. 1 and compiled a 33-11 record.

“We are excited to announce coach Phillips as the next head baseball coach at Hartselle High School, and we are excited about the future of our baseball program under his leadership,” Miles said in a news release. “It became pretty evident as our search began that the best fit for our future and school was coach Phillips.

“Coach William Booth built this program here at Hartselle and his legacy will live on for many years to come. Coach Booth instilled a tradition of hard work along with high expectations for our players, both on the field and in the classroom, and we feel coach Phillips can continue moving us in that same direction.

“The thing that makes Brad the perfect fit for us is not that he simply understands baseball, but after talking with him and others about him as a person, he understands the tradition of Hartselle baseball and the importance of growing our kids and our culture in the right way.”

Hartselle principal Brad Cooper echoed Miles on the importance of carrying on Hartselle’s strong tradition.

“I am excited about the future of Hartselle baseball under the direction of Brad Phillips,” he said in the release. “Coach Phillips is a great leader of men, and will continue to build on the unmatched tradition of our baseball program here in Hartselle. The standard for Hartselle baseball was certainly set high by coach Booth. I believe that coach Phillips understands that standard and will work tirelessly to ensure young men leave our baseball program as not only great baseball players, but also as great young men.”

Phillips is a native of Hazel Green who played college baseball at Gadsden State Community College and the University of Montevallo. He earned his degree in 2004 at Troy University, where he served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2003-04.

He coached Charles Henderson High School to the state playoffs four straight seasons, including a Class 5A state championship appearance in 2008. Phillips then coached at Niceville (Fla.) High, where he led the Eagles to two straight playoff appearances.

Phillips has coached at USA for six years and was also pitching coach at Troy University for nine seasons.

In 2019 at South Alabama, Phillips coached the Jaguars’ staff to a Sun Belt-best in fewest earned runs allowed (264) and USA was second in the league in saves (17), fewest runs allowed (304), fewest hits allowed (485).

Phillips joined the Troy University staff in 2010 and his 2013 Trojans pitchers ranked fifth nationally in strikeouts per nine innings with 8.6 and posted a staff earned run average of 3.82 – second-best in the Sun Belt. In 2016, Troy was third in the conference with a 3.79 ERA, earning him the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award.

In 2018, Troy led the Sun Belt in ERA (3.90), runs allowed (280), earned runs allowed (241) and innings pitched. The Trojans were second in the league in strikeouts (524), saves (15), opposing batting average (.248) and wins (42).

Hartselle’s 2024 roster featured 10 seniors, three juniors, six sophomores and three freshmen. The Tigers started seven seniors in the final game of the state championship series.

Phillips is married to the former Peyton Marsh of Madison. The couple has one daughter, Piper Belle, and one son, Scout.

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Alabama

Alabama in the NFL: Former Heisman winner among best from Week 16

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Alabama in the NFL: Former Heisman winner among best from Week 16

Yet another week of NFL action has passed, and once again, it was a huge slate for Alabama Crimson Tide football.

A slate of games in which multiple teams clinched playoff berths, former Alabama players were back in action this past weekend at the professional level, with many going on to make significant impacts in their respective games. Some of those same names were also recently named to the 2026 Pro Bowl, only adding to what has been a solid overall season for the Crimson Tide in the NFL.

With the likes of Jalen Hurts, Malachi Moore, and Bryce Young among the names who also enjoyed a big week, here are five of Alabama’s top performing former players during Week 16 in the NFL.

Derrick Henry, Running Back – Baltimore Ravens

The former Heisman Trophy winner was likely Alabama’s top offensive performance of Week 16, even despite losing a fumble in the Baltimore Ravens’ 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots. In all, Henry rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts, translating to an average of 7.1 yards per carry.

Jonathan Allen, Defensive Tackle – Minnesota Vikings

In a week loaded with impressive defensive performances, there were likely none greater than that of Allen during a 16-13 win for the Minnesota Vikings over the New York Giants. Allen finished the game with eight total tackles, four of which were solo, along with one sack, two TFL, and one quarterback hit.

Will Reichard, Kicker – Minnesota Vikings

Another member of the Minnesota Vikings who made an impact in their 16-13 win over the New York Giants was the former Alabama kicker. Also making his lone extra point attempt, Reichard finished 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, a trio of makes that came from 43, 31, and 30 yards.

Jordan Battle, Safety – Cincinnati Bengals

Battle enjoyed a huge performance during the Bengals’ 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins, leading Cincinnati with a total of 10 tackles. Of those 10 tackles, six from Battle were solo.

Marlon Humphrey, Cornerback – Baltimore Ravens

Rounding out Alabama’s top performances from NFL Week 16 was Humphrey, who enjoyed a solid showing despite the Baltimore Ravens’ 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots. Humphrey finished with six total tackles, all of which were solo, two pass defenses, and an interception.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

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Alabama

McDaniel has 23, Memphis defeats Alabama State 88-67

Published

23 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

McDaniel has 23, Memphis defeats Alabama State 88-67

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Dug McDaniel scored 23 points as Memphis beat Alabama State 88-67 on Monday night.

McDaniel went 8 of 16 from the field (7 for 12 from 3-point range) for the Tigers (5-7). Curtis Givens III scored 18 points and added three steals. Ashton Hardaway shot 4 for 8 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points, while adding seven rebounds and five steals.

Asjon Anderson led the way for the Hornets (3-9) with 16 points. Damarien Yates added 13 points and nine rebounds for Alabama State. Tyler Mason also recorded 12 points. The loss is the sixth in a row for the Hornets.

McDaniel scored 14 points in the first half to help Memphis build a 42-33 halftime lead. Memphis pulled away with a 12-2 run in the second half to extend a nine-point lead to 19 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Alabama

What Kalen DeBoer said about facing ‘great’ Indiana team with ‘swagger’ in Rose Bowl

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

What Kalen DeBoer said about facing ‘great’ Indiana team with ‘swagger’ in Rose Bowl

Kalen DeBoer described Indiana as “a great football team.”

The Alabama coach was effusive in his praise of the Hoosiers and their leader.

“Coach Cignetti, just what he’s done is amazing here these last two years, just building the program as quickly as he’s done to the level it’s at,” DeBoer said. “Really looking forward to us diving back into our process here the next 10 days or so, just getting back to work.

No. 9 Alabama will face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 1 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN). The winner of that matchup will advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, set to take part in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.

Simply put, the Crimson Tide will have its hands full. On offense, the Hoosiers led the nation in third-down conversions and rank third in scoring offense.

Indiana also owns the nation’s No. 10 rushing offense, averaging 221.2 yards per game. Roman Hemby (918 yards, six touchdowns) and Kaelon Black (799 yards, seven touchdowns) are the top two running backs.

“Still diving into it, but I think the thing that jumps out at me, with the first glance here the last day or so, is how well they work together, the offensive line, in particular, and just everyone being in sync,” DeBoer said. “They’re always moving forward.”

Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the leader of the offense as the Heisman Trophy winner. He has thrown for 33 touchdowns to six interceptions. Mendoza has also rushed for six scores this season.

“I just think with obviously Mendoza winning the Heisman, that doesn’t happen by accident,” DeBoer said. “You put a whole season of film together, of games and stringing them each and every week and you end up undefeated because a trigger man can make some plays and do his things at an extremely high level.”

At receiver, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt are Mendoza’s top two targets. Cooper has secured 58 passes for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sarratt has caught 51 passes for 687 yards and 12 scores.

“I look at their skill around the offensive line, they just all complement each other,” DeBoer said. “They go make plays. When the opportunities are there, they get it done.”

Defensively, the Hoosiers rank second in the nation in third downs and scoring defense. Indiana’s also third in tackles for loss.

“The defense, has the tackles for losses and is physical as well,” DeBoer said.

In total, it all has led to a 13-0 season so far after Indiana went 11-2 in 2024.

“There’s great coaching you can see to put them in spots to succeed, but also the guys, you can see they play with a swagger, with a confidence,” DeBoer said, “and as they should with the success they’ve had.”

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