Greenville High welcomes new coach

Greenville High School football players are known as Tigers — so are Auburn University players. But when you combine the two and bring the results back to Greenville, you are a three-time Tiger.

Such is the case with Greenville’s new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Alvin Briggs.

A native son of the Camellia City, Briggs graduated from Greenville High School in 1982, after playing four years of varsity football.

&uot;We are extremely proud to have Alvin as our Head Coach here at Greenville High,&uot; said Principal John Black. &uot;He stands as an inspiration to our students, serving as an example to our students that staying in school and doing well pays off.&uot;

During his high school career, Briggs was an All-state selection as a wide-out and defensive back at GHS — he also played a role in helping to take the school to the state playoffs for four straight years, intercepting eight passes as a senior.

Briggs was also placed in the position of quarterback.

After graduating from Greenville, Briggs went on to Auburn University, where he was a letterman for four years - 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987. In 1985 he was unable to play due to a knee injury.

While on the Plains, Briggs became the first player in Auburn history to play on two Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship teams, by being a part of the AU squads in 1983 and 1987.

In 1986, Briggs tied with Chip Powell as the year’s leaders for pass interceptions, notching five for the season — the two were a contributing part of the Auburn Tigers, single-season high for pass interceptions, tied for fourth place in Auburn history.

Briggs played in both the 1983 and 1987 Sugar Bowls, the 1984 Liberty Bowl and the Kickoff Classic, and the 1986 Citrus Bowl.

In 1987 Briggs was an All-SEC pick as a defensive back, while at Auburn. He lettered four years.

Briggs went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys in 1988.

Receiving his B.S. degree in physical education from the University of North Alabama in 1993, Briggs completed his Masters in physical education, also from UNA, in 1996.

Briggs comes to Greenville following 11 seasons as an assistant football coach at UNA, where he helped to guide the Lions to National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) playoffs in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1997; he also led them to three NCAA Div ision II National Championships.

Speaking of the GHS Tigers team this year, Briggs is very confident.

&uot;The guys are really strong, and have been working diligently — although we have not started our practices yet, they have worked very hard in the weight rooms, and their strength will be good as a result.&uot;

Regarding this year’s schedule, Briggs said the majority of the opposing teams are the same as when he was here.

&uot;St. Paul and B.C. Rains are new to the schedule, at least since I played, but the rest of them were in the division when I was here before,&uot; Briggs said.

Briggs will see for the first time what the 2000-2001 Greenville Tigers are made of when he holds the first practice next Monday, Aug. 6.

If given the opportunity, Greenville fans should come out and make him feel welcomed.