The Smiths Station football program is in search of another new coach.

School principal Adam Johnson released a statement Monday morning, confirming that Justin Albert will no longer serve as the team’s head coach.

Sources tell AL.com that Albert, a former Prattville High star, will be joining Bobby Carr’s Lions staff as wide receivers coach, pending Board approval Tuesday night.

“We understand that this news may raise questions or concerns within our community,” Johnson said in a statement. “Rest assured that we are working diligently to identify, recruit and employ a dedicated and successful individual who will be committed to lead Smiths Station’s football program as its head coach.”

Albert was hired in January to replace Bryant Garrison, who was 1-19 in two seasons leading the Panthers. Smiths Station’s last winning season was in 2018, and the Panthers haven’t made the playoffs since 2013. Albert was the third head coach in four seasons at the school.

Smiths Station competes in the brutal Class 7A, Region 2 along with Auburn, Opelika, Central-Phenix City, Enterprise, Carver-Montgomery, Dothan and JAG. The Panthers were 0-10 in 2024 and were outscored 418-63.

Albert, 35, was an ASWA Super 12 pick at running back as a senior at Prattville and a first-team All-State pick as a junior and senior in 2006-2007. He ran for 3,467 yards in two years and also had 1,021 yards receiving and 1,004 yards in kick returns. He helped the Lions to back-to-back state championships in both of those years.

After two years as a walk-on at Auburn University, Albert transferred to Troy University in 2011 where he played 12 games with five as a starter at wide receiver for Hall of Fame coach Larry Blakeney. He also led the team in punt returns (28) and punt return yards (230). Albert finished third in receptions with 40 and fourth with 338 receiving yards. He caught at least one pass in every game for the Trojans.

Albert has previously served as an assistant coach at Central-Phenix City, Pinson Valley, Russell County and Pell City.

AL.com correspondent Mike Perrin contributed to this report.

This post will be updated