Spain Park hires Jackson-Olin head coach Tim Vakakes

Hoover, AL – After a decade at the helm of the Jackson-Olin Mustangs program Tim Vakakes is making the move to north Shelby County.  

Vakakes was officially introduced as the Spain Park Jaguar’s seventh head football coach at the Hoover City Schools board meeting Tuesday evening.

During his ten seasons at Birmingham’s Jackson-Olin High, Vakakes lead the Mustangs to a 49-45 record, including three playoff appearances and a a Class 6A, Region 5 title in 2018.  The Mustangs are coming off a 9-3 campaign in 2021 which ended with a loss to 6A semifinalist Mountain Brook.  

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The Auburn University graduate prepped at Homewood before serving as an assistant for 12 seasons, primarily under his father Jimmy who lead the Montevallo and Fairfield football programs for 16 seasons.  

Vakakes departs Jackson-Olin as the only head coach in the program’s 67 year history to leave the school with an overall winning record.  The Mustangs had posted a 21-70 record, with no postseason appearances, in the 10 seasons prior to his arrival in 2013.  

Vakakes during Jackson-Olin’s matchup at Gardendale in 2021. Brant Berry | PrepsNet

He takes over for former Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney who guided the Jaguars to a combined 54-43 record over nine seasons.  During Raney’s tenure the Jags reached the postseason four times, advancing to the 7A title game in 2015 and claimed region titles in 2013 and 2015.  

Vakakes will not be the only first year head coach roaming the sidelines in Class 7A, Region 3 in 2022.  Hoover is also in the market for a new leader following Josh Niblett’s resignation late last week.