SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE

Former Greenville High School football coach Alvin Briggs has been named the Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese announced Monday.

Briggs, who will begin work Nov. 14, replaces Steve Bailey, who is retiring at the end of November.

In his new role, Briggs will oversee All-Star Sports Week, coordinate the Champions Challenge and preside over the All-Star Game coaching selections.

“We are extremely pleased to have a person of Coach Briggs’ caliber with a coaching and administrative background,” Savarese said. “He will be a tremendous asset to the AHSAA and the Coaches Association.

“Coach Briggs is well known and respected throughout the state. Because of his involvement with the AHSAA over the years, his learning curve will be minimal. He will have an opportunity to work with Coach Bailey and ensure a seamless transition.”

Briggs, 47, has been the head football coach at Florence since 2007, guiding the Falcons to a 34-19 record and two playoff appearances in five years.

“It’s a tremendous honor to become a part of the AHSAA family,” said Briggs, who informed his players of his decision to join the AHSADCA Monday morning. “I’m humbled that Coach Savarese and everyone there have accepted me. It has meant a lot to be a high school coach in Alabama and to serve so many wonderful student-athletes. To serve with and get to know so many coaches in our state has been such an honor.

“Really and truly, the opportunity at the AHSAA is a direct reflection of what Florence City Schools and the Florence community have done for me. This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will cherish my time in Florence. It has become my home and I hope to do them proud.”

Prior to coaching at Florence, Briggs was the head football coach at his alma mater, Greenville High School, where his teams posted a 28-12 mark and made the state playoffs three times.

Twice Briggs led the Tigers to 6-5 finishes, but managed just two winning seasons in his tenure at GHS and won just one game in his final season in the Camellia City.

His overall head-coaching record is 62-31 in eight seasons.

He has been active in AHSAA activities during his coaching career and currently serves on the AHSAA Strategic Planning Committee. He has also served on the AHSAA Reclassification Committee and also as a board member of the Alabama Football Coaches Association.

In addition to coaching and teaching, Briggs has volunteered with such organizations as the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the YMCA and the American Red Cross.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Alabama where he was an assistant football coach from 1993-2001. He played defensive back at Auburn University from 1984-87 and was a standout high school player at Greenville High School.