Dedrick Sumpter is coming back home.

The Mobile native was approved Thursday night as the new head football coach at Chickasaw High School.

Sumpter replaces Carl Herring, who announced his resignation after two seasons last month.

“I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to come back home,” Sumpter told AL.com on Thursday. “Chickasaw is not in a bad situation. They’ve been a playoff team. Everything is in place to win. You don’t have to go in and start from ground zero. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Sumpter, 51, spent nine years as Williamson’s head coach, taking over the program in 2012 at age 36. He led the team to five playoff appearances in his final six seasons, winning the Class 4A, Region 1 title in his final year at the school (2020). He then spent 2021 as the interim head coach at Blount High School. Sumpter has spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator for head coach Mark Hurt at Pike County High.

“I’ve had a chance to have a reset in my life, to re-evaluate some things, to maybe do some things better,” Sumpter said. “I’m grateful to the Chickasaw Board, the superintendent, the whole leadership team for just believing in me and believing I can take them to the next level.”

Sumpter is the sixth head coach in the history of Chickasaw High. Ronnie Cottrell started the program in 2014. The Chieftains have been to the playoffs six times but have yet to win a postseason game.

Herring led the team to a 12-10 record in his two seasons. The 2023 team lost its first three games before winning five out of six to qualify for the playoffs. The Chieftains lost to Thorsby in the first round.

“The future is very bright,” Sumpter said. “Coach (Ryan) Little did a great job and so did coach Herring. It’s similar to Williamson when I took over there. They’ve been to the playoffs. Now, how do we get over that first-round hurdle. I think we can achieve that together.”

Sumpter, a B.C. Rain graduate, said he hopes to be in town next week to meet with the players and parents and get started.

“I’ll get there and explain the policies and procedures to everyone and my expectations and just let them know that I plan to be here for the long haul,” he said. “I don’t want them to have to worry about getting a new coach for a while.”

Chickasaw is scheduled to open the season against Robertsdale on Aug. 23. The Chieftains will compete in 2A, Region 1 along with Bayshore Christian (a first-year program), Central-Haynesville, Clarke County, J.U. Blacksher, St. Luke’s and Washington County.

“Throughout the search to head our football program, we targeted a coach with experience but also results with building a successful program,” Chickasaw AD Ricky Ruffin said. “Coach Sumpter and I have known each other for almost 25 years. I’m excited to work with him to build not only a quality football program, but also a successful athletic program for the young boys and girls in our school system. I’m thankful for the leadership of our school system and the trust of our administration to make this possible.”