AHSAA Announces Coaching Staffs for 66th North-South All-Star Football Game
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) has finalized coaching staffs for the 66th AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game, set for Friday, December 12 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.
James T. Lawrence, AHSADCA director, expressed confidence in both coaching lineups. “These coaches have assembled staffs featuring some of Alabama’s most promising young head coaches,” Lawrence said. “We’re excited to see how well these coaching staffs prepare their teams.”
South All-Star Coaching Staff
Eufaula High School head coach Jerrell Jernigan leads the South squad, bringing together an experienced group of coaches:
- Jonathan Chandler (Montgomery Catholic) – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
- Ham Barnett (St. Paul’s Episcopal) – Defensive Coordinator
- Buster Daniel (Lee-Scott) – Offensive Line Coach
- Marcus Gardner (Selma) – Defensive Line Coach
- Bear Woods (Wetumpka) – Linebackers Coach
- Eric Scott (Baker) – Defensive Backs Coach
Jernigan will handle head coaching duties while also working with wide receivers.
North All-Star Coaching Staff
Robert Evans from Vestavia Hills High School commands the North squad with this coaching roster:
- Tim Bowen (Brooks) – Offensive Coordinator
- Bert Newton (Hartselle) – Defensive Coordinator
- Ali Smith (Gadsden City) – Flex Coach
- Chad Eads (Hayden) – Flex Coach
- Dustin Goodwin (Russellville) – Flex Coach
- Chris Metcalf (Springville) – Flex Coach
Head Coaches Share Unique All-Star Connection
Evans and Jernigan bring remarkable parallels to their leadership roles. Both excelled as multi-sport high school athletes and now coach at their alma maters.
Evans played defensive back in the 1998 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The two-sport all-state athlete continued playing football and baseball at Samford University before signing with the Boston Red Sox. After two minor league seasons, he returned to Birmingham to begin his coaching career.
Now in his fifth season at Vestavia Hills, Evans has compiled a 23-14 record. The Rebels currently stand 1-0 this season.
Jernigan made Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game history in 2006, becoming the only player to throw a touchdown pass to himself. Near the Mississippi goal line, his quarterback pass was blocked back into his hands, and he sprinted around left end for the score.
Following his Troy University career, Jernigan played briefly with the New York Giants in the NFL. In his fifth season leading Eufaula, he holds a 24-13 record with the Tigers starting 1-0 this year.
Game History and Player Selection
Player selections will occur later in the season, with all participants being Class of 2026 seniors.
The North claimed last year’s contest 45-24 at Hancock Whitney Stadium, but the South maintains the historical advantage with a 35-29-1 series lead dating back to 1948.
The AHSADCA manages the North-South All-Star Football Game as the coaching division of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
The December 12 kickoff at Hancock Whitney Stadium will showcase Alabama’s top high school football talent in the state’s premier all-star showcase.
