Veteran coach Scott Rials has been hired to resurrect the Calera High football program.

Rials was approved Tuesday by the Shelby County Board of Education.

“The first thing that piqued my interest was the success they’ve had in the past,” Rials said of the opening. “Another thing is how fast that area is growing. When I was coaching in Elba in 2004, we played Calera and we were both in Class 2A. Less than 20 years later, they are a 6A program so it’s a fast-growing area.

“I also thought the administration there had a sense of urgency. I think there are like 30 jobs open in the state, and they were really trying to get someone hired out of the gate. They have a great commitment to excellence, and I’m ready to get started.”

Rials said his first day on the job is scheduled to be Jan. 16.

He spent the last four years as head coach at Baldwin County High, accumulating a 14-27 record. His 2021 team went 8-4 and won a playoff game for the first time 2003. Rials also spent five years as head coach at Luverne, two at Satsuma, nine at Elba and six at South Montgomery Academy in the AISA.

He has a 185-111 career record in 26 years. He led Elba to a 15-0 season and the Class 2A state title in 2011. Rials said a meet and greet is set for Wednesday afternoon with Calera.

“The first thing I want to do is get in there and meet the players and get some excitement going,” he said. “I want people to know there is an open door for people to come in and try out and get on the team. We are going to get to work, get in that weight room and work on strength and conditioning as quickly as possible.”

Calera went 0-10 this past season and was outscored 433-92. Offensive coordinator Jared Holder took over the program last summer when former coach Jason Hamlin left to take and assistant coaching position at Hoover.

Rials will be the fifth head coach since 2018, following Andrew Zow, Trey Simpson, Hamlin and Holder. The Eagles made the playoffs in 2021 and 2022 under Hamlin but haven’t won a postseason game since 2017.

Calera played in Class 6A, Region 3 for the last two seasons along with Benjamin Russell, Helena, Briarwood, Homewood, Pelham and Chilton County. The AHSAA will announce fall reclassification on Monday.