Dustin Goodwin Returns Home to Lead Demopolis Tigers

DEMOPOLIS, AL – Demopolis High School has announced the return of Dustin Goodwin as its new head football coach, marking a homecoming for the 2003 DHS graduate. 

Goodwin, who is coming off a four year stint at the helm of the Russellville Golden Tigers program takes over for Ricky Woods to lead the Tigers to a 6-5 mark and a trip to the first round of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs in his lone season in Dempoplis.  

Goodwin’s ties to Demopolis run deep. As a standout All-State athlete in both football and baseball during his high school years at DHS, he played under the guidance of his father, Doug Goodwin, who served as the Tigers head coach from 1999 to 2006. Dustin later continued his athletic career at Auburn University and the University of North Alabama, where he was part of the Lions’ 2006 Gulf South Conference Championship team.

Reflecting on his return, Goodwin shared, “I felt like I was being led to coach in Demopolis for some time now. This is a true homecoming, and I’m really excited that my boys will get to have many of the same experiences at Demopolis that I did.”

Goodwin brings a wealth of experience to the Tigers. He began his coaching career in 2008 as a quarterbacks coach at Russellville High School, where he worked under his father. His first head coaching job was a three year stint at Plainview where he posted a 21-12 record, a region title and three playoff appearances from 2015 to 2017.  After three seasons in DeKalb County he made the move to Chelsea, guiding the 6A Hornets to a combined 15-27 mark and a pair of postseason berths over four seasons.  In 2024 he took the reins at Russellville where he posted a 7-4 record in 2024 and went 7-5 in 2025.  Both of his Golden Tiger squads reached the postseason.  In addition to his head coaching roles, Goodwin served as an offensive assistant at 7A powerhouse Thompson, contributing to their 2022 state championship run. 

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Goodwin’s return to Demopolis is part of a broader effort to strengthen the school’s athletic programs. Mark Heaton, a 1997 DHS graduate and former quarterback, has also been named the new Athletic and Facilities Director. Together, Goodwin and Heaton aim to inspire a new generation of Tigers while honoring the school’s rich football tradition.

Goodwin is joined by defensive coordinator Dylan Seabolt, who has worked alongside him for six seasons at Chelsea and Russellville.

FEATURED IMAGE: Goodwin leads the Chelsea Hornets against Shades Valley.  (Brant Berry | PrepsNet)