Mike Chase was looking for a change.

The veteran girls basketball coach just finished his 25th season in the state as a head coach. Chase considered several options, including retiring or maybe taking a private school job among other possibilities.

That’s when Orange Beach principal Michael Lee called with an offer to take over the Makos girls basketball program. Chase was approved by the board today.

“Working at Spain Park has been a really great situation, but it was time for me to create something new, find a new canvas to paint on,” Chase said.

The allure of Orange Beach was strong.

“It’s a great community,” Chase said. “They’re building a new gym, a new track and an indoor practice facility. They’re invested in everything, not just athletics.

“And I get to live 14-15 minutes from the beach. Who doesn’t want to do that?”

Chase has produced winners in every situation.

He has a career record of 562-290 with two Class 7A state championships in three title game appearances at Spain Park along with two Class 6A title game appearances at Clay-Chalkville.

In three state stops — 1 year at Mountain Brook (1998-1999), 10 years at Clay-Chalkville (1999-2009), 14 years at Spain Park (2009-2023) — Chase has 14 area titles and 11 trips to the elite eight. He also coached Palmetto (Fla.) to a district championship in 1997.

Chase was named Alabama Sports Writers Coach of the Year (2017) Shelby County Coach of the Year (2011, 2018, 2020), Birmingham News Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2011), Jefferson County Coach of the Year (2004, 2005, 2008) and USA Today state Coach of the Year (2020).

He has also served as head coach in the North-South All-Star game (2003, 2017) and the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game (2019).

The new challenge excites Chase, particularly since wife Kiara — she currently teaches at Homewood Middle School — will be helping with the Orange Beach program.

“In Class 7A, what are there 32 schools? You play the same people and see the same coach all the time,” Chase said. “I’ll have some new officials to yell at, new coaches to deal with. It’s going to be a big charge for me and I’m really looking forward to it.”