By RANDY TATANO
Special to Atmore News
W.S. Neal’s high school football coach Hugh Fountain got an early Christmas present this year when Powerhouse Sports named him Coach of the Year in the 1A-3A category.
Fountain, in his first year coaching the Eagles, took a team that had gone winless the previous year all the way to the playoffs. The legendary coach, who has more than 250 lifetime wins and a bunch of AISA (Alabama Independent School Association) state championships on his resume, was typically modest about the award.
“I don’t look at it as an individual honor,” Fountain said. “It’s indicative of what we all accomplished. Just give it to the boys, and I’m proud of the assistant coaches. It’s great when you do something to bring the boys notoriety.”
Powerhouse Sports announced the award on Twitter. “Coach Fountain took a team that went 0-10 last year to the second round of the playoffs, and they played for a chance at a region title. What a rebuild this season! Congrats, Coach! Go Big Blue!”
Though football season is over, activities will pick up after Christmas break. Fountain said the team will begin offseason workouts before spring football.
Brewton resident Randy Tatano is a veteran TV news reporter and network producer, and is currently a novelist and freelance writer for the Escambia County School System.