Scott Rials is out as head football coach at Baldwin County High after four years at the school.

The veteran coach told AL.com that principal Richard Paul called him into his office this morning and told him the school would be going in another direction. Rials will stay on as athletic director for the time being.

“I’m going to start putting out feelers obviously,” Rials said. “It is what it is. It’s a cut-throat world. All us coaches know that when we get in it. Whoever gets this job and has to beat the Spanish Forts, Theodores and Saralands of the world – it’s a tough road I can tell you that.”

Rials was hired as the pandemic started in March of 2020.

“The first time I got to meet with the kids was at the end of June,” he said. “It was a tough way to start.”

The Tigers went 3-6 that first season and then had a breakout season in 2021. Baldwin County went 8-4, scored 384 points and advanced to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs before losing to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.

The last two seasons have been much tougher. The Tigers went 1-9 in 2022 and scored just 113 points. The 2023 season had promise early with the team losing a one-point game to Spanish Fort and an overtime game to Theodore — both of whom eventually made the playoffs — but a five-game losing streak in the second half left the Tigers at 2-8.

“I was surprised,” Rials said of the school’s decision. “I feel like with the team we have coming back with the current sophomores and juniors that we will be in pretty good shape. Of course, competition always plays a factor as well. I thought we competed very well this year, especially early when we were healthy. We just didn’t quite get over the hump.”

Rials has a 185-111 record in 28 years as a head coach overall. He spent six years as South Montgomery Academy in the AISA followed by nine years at Elba, two at Satsuma and five at Luverne before taking over at Baldwin County. He led Elba to the Class 2A state title in 2011.

He told AL.com he definitely wants to coach again.

“Heck yeah. I’m still 10 or 12 years younger than (Alabama) coach (Nick) Saban,” he joked. “I’m just getting going good. I feel like I’m just hitting my stride. Two years ago, we set school scoring records and won a playoff game. That isn’t a regular event here. I knew it would be tough coming into this thing, but I wasn’t going to give up on our kids. My plan was to stick it out, but the powers that be had a different plan.

“I’m certainly grateful for the opportunity. I wish it had worked out better, but I’m just going to keep trusting in the Lord. I know He has a plan for me. I’m blessed to have a good, supportive family and that is important. The Lord will put me on another path, and I’m looking forward to whatever He has in store next.”

The Tigers are the second Baldwin County public school team to make a coaching move this season. Robertsdale dismissed Kyle Stanford as head coach earlier this season, though he remains as the athletic director.

Other statewide coaching news:

Hazel Green has released Charlie Wilburn from his coaching duties following a 0-10 season. Wilburn was 4-17 in two seasons.

Holtville head coach Jason Franklin has announced his retirement. Franklin was 37-39 in seven years at Holtville. His teams made the playoffs each of the last six years. Prior to taking over at Holtville, he spent nine years at Horseshoe Bend.

Keith Kirby has stepped down as North Sand Mountain’s coach. He was recently named assistant principal at the school. He went 55-37 in eight years as head coach of the Bison. His teams made the playoffs each of those seasons and reached the quarterfinals in both 2019 and 2020. NSM went 5-6 this season, losing at Locust Fork in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Chilton County has relieved Marvin Morton of his coaching duties, according to the Clanton Advertiser. Morton’s teams were 4-6 in both of his seasons as coach.