Dustin Goodwin Named Russellville Head Football Coach
Russellville, AL – Thompson High School assistant Dustin Goodwin has officially been named the Russellville Golden Tigers 28th head football coach.
The Demopolis native and son of legendary Golden Tigers head coach Doug Goodwin takes over for John Ritter who recently stepped down to take the reins of the Decatur High School program. Ritter lead the Tigers to a combined 52-19 record including four region titles, six postseason appearances and a 35-3 mark in region play over the past six seasons.
“Honestly, it feels like coming home. We still have many of the relationships we were able to establish when we were here before, and we’re excited to be coming back. Russellville is a special place, and I’m ready to get to work.” – Russellville Head football coach Dustin Goodwin
Goodwin spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Class 7A powerhouse Thompson where he helped guide the Warriors to a pair of Super 7 appearances and state title in 2022.
Prior to joining Mark Freeman’s Thompson staff, he spent four seasons at the helm of the Class 6A Chelsea Hornets where he guided the Shelby County program to a 15-27 record highlighted by a pair of playoff berths in 2019 and 2021.
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His first head coaching stop was a successful three year run at Plainview from 2015 to 2017. He lead the Bears to a 21-12 record, three trips to the postseason and a Class 3A, Region 7 title in 2017.
Earlier in his career he spent time as an assistant at Russellville, Hueytown and Homewood high schools.
Russellville, who is coming off a 9-3 run in 2023, will join Ardmore, East Limestone, Fairview, Lawrence County, Priceville and West Point in a redrawn Class 5A, Region 7 in 2023. Goodwin will lead the Golden Tigers on the gridiron for the first time August 23rd when Russellville hosts the Deshler Tigers.
Cover Photo: Goodwin during Chelsea’s 17-6 win over the Shades Valley Mounties in 2021. (Brant Berry | PrepsNet)
