Former Center Point Head Coach George Bates Takes Over Shades Valley Football Program

IRONDALE, AL – Shades Valley has found its new leader on the gridiron in veteran head coach George Bates.

Bates, who resigned earlier this week as head coach at Center Point was named the Shades Valley Mounties 23rd head football coach Friday morning.  .

Over the past seven seasons at Center Point, Bates compiled a 52-30 overall record. Under his leadership, the Eagles made seven consecutive postseason appearances and posted a 33-13 record in region play. The program also advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals twice, in 2019 and 2021, marking a period of sustained success for the Jefferson County program.

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Before his tenure at Center Point, Bates led three other Metro Birmingham high school programs. He spent the 2017 season at Woodlawn, where he lead the Colones to a 1-9 record. Prior to that, he coached the Minor Tenacious Tigers from 2014 to 2016, guiding them to a combined 26-11 record. His tenure at Minor included an 11-2 mark in 2016 including a Class 6A, Region 6 title, and a trip to the state quarterfinals. Bates began his head coaching career at Parker, where he posted a 12-10 record from 2012 to 2013.

According to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, Bates holds a career head coaching record of 91-60. He has an 11-11 record in the postseason across 14 seasons, a 57-30 mark in region play, and has led his teams to 11 playoff berths.

Bates steps in following the departure of Reuben Nelson, who led Shades Valley for four seasons. Nelson, who accepted an administrative role at Ramsay High School, compiled a 15-22 record during his time with the Mounties, including a 3-6 mark last season and a 2-4 finish in Class 6A, Region 6 play. Shades Valley last made the postseason in 2020.

Featured Image: Bates leads Center Point against the Leeds Green Wave in 2020.  (Brant Berry | PrepsNet)