Spanish Fort has added two more former head coaches to its football staff.

Aubrey Blackwell has joined the Toros as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, while Nathan McDaniel will coach the team’s cornerbacks.

They join two other former head coaches – Kyle Stanford and Justin Thomas – who already were on staff.

“It’s huge,” Spanish Fort head coach Chase Smith said. “Just like with Kyle and Justin, anytime you can add that type of knowledge, it’s a good thing. Those guys have been where I am. They are familiar with the decisions and everything that goes on for a head coach. It’s invaluable.”

Blackwell stepped down earlier this summer as Saint James’ head coach. He’s also been a head coach at Montgomery Catholic (2015-2020), Benjamin Russell (2021) and Jackson Academy, Miss. (2022-2023).

“Coach Blackwell has been in a lot of different regions and classifications, so he’s seen a lot of football and knows a lot of football,” Smith said. “He served under a Hall of Fame coach in Jimmy Perry, who is a legend in this state. I love his philosophy. He knows how to cater to and work around the personnel you have. He has a great vision. I think it’s a perfect fit.”

Blackwell will have a three-year starter at quarterback to work with in Aaden Shamburger, who committed to South Alabama last week.

“We have some stuff that obviously fits us offensively, and we won’t get away from that,” Smith said. “But coach Blackwell will put his spin on it, and that’s why I’m hiring him. What we’ve done here has worked. It’s not broken, but he will provide more insight and a lot of experience.”

Shamburger said Blackwell already has helped him.

“He’s definitely helped me with my progressions and my reads,” he said Thursday morning at the Jubilee 7-on-7. “He teaches me all the little things. It’s been good.”

McDaniel joins the Spanish Fort staff after spending the last five years as head coach and athletic director at Elberta. Prior to that, he spent six years in the same role at Baldwin County High.

“Nate and I have been close for a long time,” Smith said. “With his experience and just with the kind of man he is, that’s huge for us. He’s not only been a head coach, but he’s been a head coach in this county for a long time. He’s a great coach and defensive mind. We are blessed to have him for sure.”

The new hires were approved at Thursday’s Baldwin County Board of Education meeting in Bay Minette.

Spanish Fort went 9-3 in 2024, losing 21-14 at Hueytown in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Toros open the 2025 season at home against Fairhope on Aug. 21.

 “We’ll be a little different this year,” Smith said. “We have a lot of holes to fill on defense. We are doing things a little different but really focusing on personnel and evaluating that and making sure we have good depth. The summer is going well. The kids are here and working every day.”

Smith is 25-10 entering his fourth season as Spanish Fort’s head coach.