David Stapleton and Andy Ryan once shared an office together at Fairhope High School.

The two veteran coaches will be on the safe staff again this fall at Bayshore Christian.

Stapleton has been named the team’s defensive coordinator under head football coach Phil Lazenby. Ryan will replace Butch Case as the Eagles’ boys basketball coach. The common thread was Bayshore athletic director and baseball coach Jeff Hauge, who had a previous relationship with both.

“I’ve known Jeff for more than 20 years,” Ryan said. “I know what kind of guy he is. I know the type of people at Bayshore, and that was a key for me. I also was intrigued to be in more of a small school atmosphere. The schools I’ve coached in have been larger. I’m ready to get going and excited for the challenge.”

Ryan spent six years as the head basketball coach at Fairhope High and 11 at Saraland. He retired last year and has been working with Future Ones selling sports apparel.

“I really felt like I needed a break at the time,” he said. “It’s been good. I was able to go to some games and see some coaches that I haven’t been able to see because we’ve always been playing. I went to some UM games, and that was enjoyable. But I just started talking to Jeff, and he got me thinking about it. I didn’t envision coming back to coaching this soon, but the conversations Jeff and I had kind of got the juices flowing again.”

Ryan said he hopes to meet the team and start building relationships next week.

“To have a coach of Andy’s caliber and a man of his integrity on board at Bayshore Christian School is just such a blessing,” Hauge said. “I believe this is a home run hire for our basketball program, and I look forward to working with Andy again.”

Stapleton, a Fairhope graduate, has been a head coach at Daphne, Robertsdale and Shades Valley. His assistant coaching stops include Fairhope, St. Paul’s and Bayside Academy.

Stapledon and Lazenby worked together at Bayside Academy when Lazenby was head coach of the Admirals.

“I worked with David for six years at Fairhope,” Hauge said. “I don’t think there is a better defensive coordinator in Alabama. He’s forgotten more about football than most of us know. I love having his expertise and knowledge on our staff.”

The Eagles will play their first season of varsity football in 2024.