{"id":12990,"date":"2018-01-25T17:44:57","date_gmt":"2018-01-25T23:44:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/?p=12990"},"modified":"2018-01-25T22:41:11","modified_gmt":"2018-01-26T04:41:11","slug":"gardendale-names-new-head-football-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/2018\/01\/25\/gardendale-names-new-head-football-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardendale names new head football coach"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gardendale, AL – The Gardendale Rockets<\/strong><\/a> have their new leader on the gridiron.  The Jefferson County School Board officially approved longtime assistant and current Hoover Bucs<\/strong><\/a> offensive line coach Chad Eads to the Rockets top job Thursday afternoon. <\/p>\n

Eads will take over for former Gardendale head coach Matt Plunkett who resigned in early January to accept the same job at Cullman High School<\/strong><\/a>.  Plunkett lead the Rockets to a 37-22 record and four consecutive post season appearances over five seasons on the sidelines at Driver Stadium. <\/p>\n

Gardendale is coming off a 6-5 2017 campaign.<\/p>\n

A Samford University graduate, Eads has spent the past 11 seasons on Josh Niblett’s staff at Hoover High School.  During his tenure as the Bucs offensive line coach Eads has helped lead the gridiron powerhouse to a 135-22 record including six state championships, six region titles and a pair of undefeated seasons.  <\/p>\n

Earlier in his coaching career Eads served as the offensive coordinator at Huffman for two seasons.  During his tenure at the Birmingham City school he helping lead the Vikings to a 25-2 record, a pair of region titles and a trip to the 6A semifinals.  <\/p>\n

Eads hiring marks the third consecutive first time head coach that the Rockets have hired.  Both Matt Punkett (37-22) and Chris Fancher (27-25) left the program with winning records and multiple post season appearances.  <\/p>\n

Gardendale released the following statement following Eads hiring: <\/p>\n

Gardendale High School names Chad Eads as the head football coach and athletic director at today’s board meeting.  Coach Eads is a graduate of Samford University where he played for coach Terry Bowden.  He has coached at Samford, two years, and West Alabama, one year.  He began his teaching career at Huffman High School, five years, then Clinton High School, five years, in Clinton, Mississippi.  He has spent the last 11 years as the offensive line coach at Hoover HS.  During his time he as been part of six state championships and three state runner-ups.  <\/p>\n

Coach Eads brings a wealth of success, knowledge and experience to the Rockets!  We are excited to have he and his wife Jamie as part of the Rocket family. <\/p>\n

This will be Eads first stop as a head coach.  He served as the offensive coordinator at Huffman High School, winning back-to-back region championships in 2000 and 2001.  <\/p>\n

Before making his move to Hoover in 2007, Eads worked as the assistant head coach\/offensive coordinator at Clinton High School in Mississippi.  The Arrows climbed to the state semifinals in 2004 and the quarterfinals in 2006. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Eads joins former Hoover defensive line coach Adrian Abrams as the second Bucs assistant to land a head coaching job since the end of the 2017 season.  Abrams was officially named the Minor Tigers head coach Thursday.<\/a> <\/b><\/p>\n

2018 Coaching Changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
School<\/th>Former Coach<\/th>New Coach<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Alexandria<\/td>Frank Tucker<\/td>Todd Ginn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anniston<\/td>Eddie Bullock<\/td>Rico White<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Appalachian<\/td>Zach Jones<\/td>Robert Beard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arab<\/td>Adam Gilbert<\/td>Oscar Glasscock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ardmore<\/td>Andrew Smith<\/td>P.J. Wright<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashford<\/td>Mich Sellers<\/td>Chris Littleton<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashville<\/td>Trey Pike<\/td>Barry Simmons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barbour Co.<\/td>Steve Fryer<\/td>Harry Mose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Benjamin Russell<\/td>Danny Horn<\/td>Kevin Smith<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bessemer City<\/td>Quintin Jackson<\/td>Darone Fagan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B.B. Comer<\/td>Mike Battles<\/td>Adam Fossett<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B.C. Rain<\/td>Tellis Stone<\/td>Rick Cauley<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brantley<\/td>Ashley Kilcrease<\/td>Roland Jones Jr.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carver-Montgomery<\/td>Willie Spears<\/td>James Thompson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Center Point<\/td>Shawn Gregory<\/td>George Bates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chelsea<\/td>Chris Elmore<\/td>Dustin Goodwin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chickasaw<\/td>John Beverly<\/td>Jason Rowell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citronelle<\/td>Rusty Funk<\/td>Jason Barnett<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clarke Prep<\/td>Billy Hamilton<\/td>Jimmy Hicks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Central-Clay Co.<\/td>Kris Herron<\/td>Danny Horn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clements<\/td>Cody McCain<\/td>Michael Parker<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coosa Central<\/td>Shane Rary<\/td>Brett Thomas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cottage Hill Christian<\/td>David Peoples<\/td>Chris Brazell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Corner<\/td>Zac Willis<\/td>John Clements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crossville<\/td>Miles Holcomb<\/td>Dusty Darnell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cullman<\/td>Mark Britton<\/td>Matt Plunkett<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dale Co.<\/td>Pete Harrison<\/td>Don Moore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dallas Co.<\/td>Cliff Matthews<\/td>Zeke Pigg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daleville<\/td>Rob Armstrong<\/td>Trey Woolf<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Danville<\/td>Josh LouAllen<\/td>Shannon McGregory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Davidson<\/td>Fred Riley<\/td>Shawn Smith<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dothan<\/td>Kevin Jackson<\/td>Wayne White<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
East Lawrence<\/td>Jarrod Helms<\/td>Matthew Pettus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Edgewood Academy<\/td>Eric Folmar<\/td>Rusty Mason<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elba<\/td>Ed Rigby<\/td>Pete Harrison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ellwood Christian<\/td>Mike Stokes<\/td>Migeual Catlin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elmore Co.<\/td>Norman Dean<\/td>Jordan Cantrell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eufaula<\/td>Bryan Moore<\/td>Ed Rigby<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Excel<\/td>Jason Wambles<\/td>Cody Sellers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Faith Academy<\/td>Jeff Estes<\/td>Jack French<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Florence<\/td>J.B. Wallace<\/td>Will Hester<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fort Payne<\/td>Paul Ellis<\/td>Chris Elmore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fultondale<\/td>Richie Busby<\/td>Don Dover<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gardendale<\/td>Matt Plunkett<\/td>Chad Eads<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Glencoe<\/td>Rusty Davis<\/td>Brian Alred<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hanceville<\/td>Craig Fanigan<\/td>Cody McCain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hazel Green<\/td>Will Wagnon<\/td>Smitty Grider<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Helena<\/td>Watt Parker<\/td>Richie Busby<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Houston Academy<\/td>Jimmy Addison<\/td>Jamie Riggs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jasper<\/td>Heath Brunner<\/td>Bryan Moore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keith<\/td>Harry Crum<\/td>Anthony Lumpkins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kinston<\/td>John Cooper<\/td>George Kennedy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lakeside School<\/td>Jimmy King<\/td>Dan Klages<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lee-Huntsville<\/td>Tony Woods<\/td>Jerry Ross<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loachapoka<\/td>Antonio Richards<\/td>L.C. Cole<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marengo Academy<\/td>Lebo Jones<\/td>David Akins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mary Montgomery<\/td>Chris Wilson<\/td>Stan McCain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
McIntosh<\/td>Jerimie Gates<\/td>Renard Davis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minor<\/td>Curtis Graves<\/td>Adrian Abrams<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Monroe Co.<\/td>Juan Williams<\/td>Marshall Locke<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moody<\/td>Jay Brown<\/td>Adam Wallace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Hope<\/td>Kenny Chadwick<\/td>Bart Stephenson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Northside Methodist<\/td>George Kennedy<\/td>Jason Hurst<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oneonta<\/td>Brandon Herring<\/td>Phil Phillips<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Opelika<\/td>Caleb Ross<\/td>Erik Speakman<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Park Crossing<\/td>Smitty Grider<\/td>Angelo Wheeler<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pell City<\/td>Keith Etheredge<\/td>Wayne Lee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pickens Co.<\/td>Ryan Swinney<\/td>James Thompson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phil Campbell<\/td>Ryan Swinney<\/td>Kevin Barnwell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pisgah<\/td>Anthony Jacks<\/td>Luke Pruitt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plainview<\/td>Dustin Goodwin<\/td>Nick Ledbetter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pleasant Grove<\/td>Jim Elgin<\/td>Darrell LeBeaux<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prattville<\/td>Chad Anderson<\/td>Caleb Ross<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Priceville<\/td>Dirk Strunk<\/td>Jason Simmons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ragland<\/td>Brian Alred<\/td>Derrick Sewell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Randolph<\/td>Nick Flanagan<\/td>Blake Killen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Robertsdale<\/td>Brian Campbell<\/td>Chase Smith<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rehobeth<\/td>Frankie Clark<\/td>Donny Gillan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rogers<\/td>Randall Martin<\/td>Jerry Fulks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Russellville<\/td>Mark Heaton<\/td>Mark Ritter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Samson<\/td>Chris Littleton<\/td>Jason Wambles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Satsuma<\/td>Justin Thomas<\/td>Ray Nelson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shoals Christian<\/td>Patrick Malone<\/td>Nick Flanagan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smiths Station<\/td>Adam Fossett<\/td>Mike Glisson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Southeastern<\/td>Michael Burkett<\/td>Kevin Byrd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Springville<\/td>Steve Davis<\/td>Michael Graben<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Springwood School<\/td>Thomas Hill<\/td>John Gartman<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sumiton Christian<\/td>Mike McCarty<\/td>Bart Black<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tanner<\/td>Maurice Belser<\/td>Oscar Bonds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T.R. Miller<\/td>Andrew Thomas<\/td>Keith Etheredge<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Valley Head<\/td>Brian Knapp<\/td>Heath Vincent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wadley<\/td>Ken Fordham<\/td>Jonathan Farr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Limestone<\/td>Jordan Cantrell<\/td>Shelby Davis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Morgan<\/td>John Ritter<\/td>Mikel Riggs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wilson<\/td>Scott Brown<\/td>Matt Poarch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Winston Co.<\/td>Bart Stephenson <\/td>Mark Mitchell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Woodlawn<\/td>George Bates<\/td>Karl Powe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vincent<\/td>Wiley McKellar<\/td>Lucas Weatherford<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gardendale, AL – The Gardendale Rockets have their new leader on the gridiron.  The Jefferson County School Board officially approved longtime assistant and current Hoover Bucs offensive line coach Chad Eads to the Rockets top job Thursday afternoon.  Eads will take over for former Gardendale head coach Matt Plunkett who resigned in early January to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12991,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[124,132,119,236,6],"tags":[557,123,19,266,7,10,11],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12990"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12990"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13001,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12990\/revisions\/13001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prepsnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}