The Class 6A girls basketball Alabama Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year who took his team to a state tournament runner-up finish last season is moving on.

Jason Harlow, who compiled a 172-55 record at Chelsea, has been named the new girls head coach at Homewood, replacing Gavin King. Harlow’s Hornets made two final four appearances and reached the regional tournament all seven seasons he was at the helm. Chelsea made the region final four of the past five seasons.

Six of Harlow’s seven teams at Chelsea won at least 22 games a year with his 2024-25 team finishing 29-9 with a 49-39 loss to Park Crossing in the state championship.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Harlow said of his new job. “It’s just a great community with great kids, a fantastic tradition. If you made a list of what you desired in coaching, it checks every box.

“I know it’s going to be a great opportunity for me and my family. I’m excited to get over there and get to work.”

Harlow will also be welcoming an assistant coach to his staff from UAH in Mary Elizabeth Laatsch. She played at Helena and the University of Montevallo and is the daughter of Orange Beach – and longtime Spain Park boys coach – Chris Laatsch.

“I will have the opportunity to work with what I feel like is one of the best assistant coaches – and just basketball coaches – in the state of Alabama,” Harlow said. “We have the opportunity to come in together and pour into those kids and that community. We’re going to try to build to the best of our abilties.”

Harlow said leaving Chelsea was a difficult choice.

“Any time you make a decision of this magnitude within your career, it’s not just one thing you can point at,” Harlow said. “Ultimately, it was a lot of things that led to the decision. Family had a lot to do with it. My kids are 4 and 1 and they go to school in Homewood, so I’ll only be 4 minutes away from them.

“I spent a lot of time in my commute to Chelsea. When you have kids that young, you are leaving the house before they get up and coming home after they have gone to bed. So, family played a big role in it.

“But, leaving was the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my professional career,” he said. “Breaking the news to my players was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life – period.

“It’s made for a lot of different emotions over the last 48 hours.”

Vestavia Hills coach moves to Homewood assistant post

John David Smelser, who led the Vestavia Hills High School girls team to a state runner-up finish in 2022, has been hired as an assist for the Homewood boys program, according to the school.

Smelser coached the Rebels to 166 wins and three regional tournament finals appearances.

He will be joining coach Elijah Garrison’s staff.

State champion baseball coach leaving

Mobile Christian baseball coach Talley Haines has stepped down for the second time in three years.

Haines told AL.com that he is moving to Missouri to be closer to family. Haines led the Leopards to five state titles in his 12 years at the school.

“Talley spoke with me late this past week about his plans to move to Missouri to be closer to family,” Mobile Christian head of school Clint Mitchell said. “He has been a major part of Mobile Christian baseball and the school as a whole for quite some time now. We are incredibly thankful for his whole family and what they have meant to so many at MCS over the years and pray for their transition.”

Haines first stepped down at Mobile Christian in 2022 with assistant coach Jason Smith replacing him as head coach. He returned as head coach following the 2024 season with Smith returning to his role as an assistant.

With Smith’s son, Seth, still playing college baseball, Mitchell said Smith would not return to his role as a head coach.

“Jason will still be a part of our school and the program, but with his son, Seth, at Southern Miss, he – and all of us – wants to be able to enjoy his time as a dad. Therefore, he will not be the head coach moving forward,” Mitchell said.

“We will begin the process of searching for a new leader for our baseball program immediately and know that God will provide someone who will continue to shape our young men into the leaders they are called to be.”

Mobile Christian finished 11-19 this season and missed the Class 5A playoffs.

Newton steps down at Cottage Hill

Brad Newton has stepped down as girls basketball coach at Cottage Hill Christian.

Newton was AL.com’s Coastal Coach of the Year in 2024 after leading the Warriors to their first final four.

“After six years, it was a hard decision but one that I am at peace with,” he told AL.com. “It’s just time for me to move to other things based on this season of life for me with work and my family.”

Orange Beach promotes Laatsch

Orange Beach has announced the appointment of Chris Laatsch as the school’s new assistant athletic director. Laatsch just finished his first year as the Makos’ boys basketball coach.

“I am extremely honored to be able to serve our school community in this new role,” Laatsch said in a press release. “It is an exciting time in our athletic department with the addition of our new facilities that rival any in the state. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help grow our student athletes.”

In the new role, Laatsch will work with athletic director Shane Alexander to support the continued development and growth of all athletic programs at the school.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Chris Laatsch, both as a leader and as a person,” Alexander said. “His dedication to student-athletes, his integrity and his wealth of experience make him an outstanding addition to our team. We’re excited to welcome him as our new Assistant Athletic Director.”

Laatsch also will continue his role as head boys basketball coach.