Alabama
Kirby Smart Does Not Expect Alabama Matchups to Change Under Kalen DeBoer
DALLAS, Texas— While the past several months have brought a substantial amount of change for the Alabama football program, Georgia head coach and former Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart thinks the standard of matchups between the two programs will not change.
Smart, whose teams have won two of the last three national titles and two of three conference titles, does not foresee a world where the respective programs aren’t near the top of college football anytime soon. “That’s two great universities,” Smart said Tuesday at SEC Media Days in Dallas. “Both committed, the commitment to excellence at both places is really high.”
The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs last went up against one another in December 2023 at the SEC Championship Game. It turned out to be Nick Saban’s final win as a head coach. Alabama snapped Georgia’s historic 29-game winning streak in a 27-24 triumph. New head coach Kalen DeBoer won’t have to wait long to get his first chance against Smart and his players. Alabama and Georgia are set to face off on Sept. 28 in one of the most anticipated games of the forthcoming college football season.
“I don’t expect [the matchups] to change,” Smart said. “You’re talking about two teams that have been at the forefront of college football. It’s probably gonna be that way for a long time… The standard that Coach [Saban] created there at Alabama, the standard we’ve created. Those two are gonna be matching up for a long time, and I think it’s what’s great about college athletics.”
Starting with the two teams’ faceoff in the 2017-18 national title game in Atlanta, Alabama is 5-1. The Crimson Tide won all three matchups from 2008-15 while Smart was the defensive coordinator. Crucially, Georgia’s lone win was in January 2022 at that year’s national championship game. Kickoff time for this season’s game between the programs is already locked in, and it’ll be a night game at Bryant-Danny Stadium. Alabama has not played at Georgia’s Sanford Stadium since the 2015-16 season.
Alabama
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Alabama
Alabama police lieutenant killed while directing traffic outside church: 'True public servant'
An Alabama police lieutenant died on Monday after he was hit by a car while directing traffic at a church.
Irondale police Lt. Mark Meadows, 60, was setting out cones at an intersection outside the Church of the Highlands’ main campus when he was hit by a man driving a Chevrolet Colorado, local outlet AL.com reported. The driver immediately stopped.
The incident took place before 7 a.m. on Monday as the church’s popular “21 Days of Prayer” event, which runs from Jan. 5 to Jan. 25, was preparing to end for the day.
Meadows was taken to nearby Grandview Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, according to Irondale police.
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Irondale Mayor James Stewart Jr., described Meadows as a “treasured member” of the city’s family for decades.
“He was a man of few words but always led by example and embodied the heart of a true public servant,” Stewart said in a statement. “Lt. Meadows will be dearly missed by his brothers and sisters at the Irondale Police Department, as well as by all of our City employees and citizens. We are comforted in knowing that he is with his heavenly father, and we will continue to cover his family in prayer as they grieve this great loss.”
The police department announced that grief support is available for officers and others in need following Meadows’ death.
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Church of the Highlands lead pastor Chris Hodges said Meadows had worked with the church since its main campus at Grants Mill opened almost 18 years ago.
In a statement to AL.com, Hodges said “our hearts are heavy beyond measure,” adding that Meadows was considered family.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughter, son, family members, fellow officers and the many who loved him,” Hodges said. “Even in the most difficult and trying times, we know our God will provide comfort, strength and reassurance based on the promise of heaven. We as a church will do all we can to care for his family.”
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed condolences to Meadows’ loved ones and church family following his death in a post on X on Monday.
“My heart is heavy as I have learned of the tragic loss of Irondale Police Lieutenant Mark Meadows, a veteran and true public servant. I join all Alabamians in lifting up his family, the Irondale Police Department and the Church of the Highlands community in prayer,” Ivey wrote.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also said he was “saddened to hear of the loss” and thanked Meadows for his service to Alabama as a police officer and the United States as an Army veteran.
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Meadows began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the nearby Mountain Brook Police Department before transferring to Irondale.
He was an FBI instructor certified in pistol and rifle, and an NRA instructor certified in pistol, according to AL.com. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation into the deadly incident.
Alabama
Man sexually abused child at north Alabama daycare run out of home, authorities say
A man was arrested Tuesday after authorities said he sexually abused a child two years ago at a daycare run out of a private home in north Alabama.
Kevin Dewayne Franklin, 50, was charged with first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse of a child less than 12, according to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
Franklin is being held without bond in the Marshall County jail pending an Aniah’s Law hearing.
Deputies finished their investigation into Franklin in October 2023 following allegations he sexually abused a child at a daycare in a private home in the Nixon Chapel community.
Franklin was related to the owner of the daycare, who also lived at the home.
The daycare has since closed, authorities said.
The Marshall County District Attorney’s Office along with sheriff’s office investigators presented the case to a grand jury in November.
Franklin was arrested Tuesday by patrol deputies.
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