Murphy Makes Mid-Season Coaching Change

MOBILE, AL – Murphy High School has announced a mid-season shift in its football coaching staff. Head coach Justin Hannah has been dismissed after 15 games in the role, with a record of 2 wins and 13 losses. Defensive coordinator Dwight Lambert is stepping in as the Panthers’ interim head coach for the rest of the season.

This season, the Panthers are 0-5, having been outscored 165-42, with their most recent matchup resulting in a 44-6 setback to Spanish Fort.

Hannah, a former standout at West End High and Tuskegee University, joined Murphy prior to the 2023 season, replacing current Vigor Wolves head coach John McKenzie.

Before taking over at Murphy, Hannah served as the defensive coordinator at Jackson-Olin in 2022.  Earlier in his career he spent time as an assistant at Shades Valley High School and his alma mater Tuskegee University.  

During his time at West End, Hannah excelled in football, basketball, and track, earning All-State honors in 2006 and tying a state record for interceptions in a single game. At Tuskegee, he was a four-year starter and three-time All-American, finishing his college career with 18 interceptions and three touchdowns. His accomplishments led to an induction into the Tuskegee Hall of Fame in 2011.

After pursuing a professional football career with the Cleveland Browns and Montreal Alouettes, Hannah played six seasons in the Arena Football League before transitioning to the sidelines.

Lambert will lead the Panthers for the first time this Friday night when Murphy hosts Williamson at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.