2 high-profile HS football jobs already open

2 high-profile HS football jobs already open

A pair of high-profile football head coaching jobs are already open before the official finish of the 2022 regular season.

Oak Mountain has decided to part ways with coach Tyler Crane, according to a story in the Shelby County Reporter on Tuesday. The news comes just two days after Central-Tuscaloosa coach Rodney Bivens Jr. announced he was stepping down as coach of the Falcons.

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Both schools are idle this week as the regular season concludes. Neither made the playoffs.

Central went just 2-8 in 2022 and was outscored 401-121. In three years under Bivens, the Falcons were 8-22 overall. Central-Tuscaloosa moved up to Class 6A this season.

Bivens posted the following message on social media over the weekend.

“Thank you to the Tuscaloosa City Schools for allowing me to serve in the capacity of head football coach. However, I have decided to step down as the head football coach at this time. I have enjoyed the many lives that my family has impacted.”

The Falcons last made the playoffs in 2018. The team hasn’t won a postseason game since 2008. Central won the Class 4A state title in 2007 with a perfect 15-0 season under coach Melvin Pete Jr.

Oak Mountain finished 3-7 this season in the tough Class 7A, Region 3 race. The Eagles started 2-0 before losing seven straight games. They finished the season last week with a 9-3 victory over Spain Park.

Crane was 10-12 overall in just two years as head coach. His first Oak Mountain team in 2021 went 7-5 and reached the second round of the Class 7A playoffs led by first-team All-State quarterback Evan Smith.