Chris Heaps Named Briarwood Christian Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach

Birmingham, AL – Briarwood Christian School has announced the appointment of Chris Heaps as the Lions’ new Athletic Director and head baseball coach. Heaps, who has served as an assistant coach at Briarwood under the guidance of Coach Steve Renfroe for the past two years, steps into his new role with a rich coaching pedigree.

Before joining the Lions’ coaching staff, Heaps concluded a noteworthy tenure at Russellville High School in 2022, where his leadership on the diamond culminated in back-to-back Class 5A state championships. Heaps’ coaching career is distinguished by his consistent success, including numerous state titles and Coach of the Year honors.

Heaps’ significant achievements at Russellville include a commendable 70% winning percentage and clinching Class 5A State Titles in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2022. His coaching expertise is rooted in a lifelong passion for baseball, initially sparked during his playing days at Hartselle High under legendary coach William Booth. Heaps’ talent led him from playing at Gadsden State to being drafted by the New York Yankees, where he spent three seasons before transitioning to coaching.

With a 15-year stint as an assistant coach under Coach Booth at Hartselle, Heaps contributed to 564 wins and bagged three state titles in 1999, 2000, and 2009, along with securing state runner-up finishes in 1998 and 2010. Further enriching his coaching resume, Heaps led 6A Central-Phenix City as head coach to a Final Four appearance, earning him the Class 6A Coach of the Year title.

Heaps takes over for former Briarwood head baseball coach Steve Renfroe who lead the Lions’ on the diamond for 14 seasons.

Cover Photo: Chris Heaps (Courtesy of Briarwood Christian School)