By Chris McCarthy
Publisher/Editor
Jason Pierce apparently is well thought-of in the state coaching community.
The Glencoe High School girls golf coach recently was named the National Federation of High School Coach of the Year in girls golf for the 2015 season, which is seleted by the state coaches. Pierce’s Lady Yellow Jackets won 2015 Class 1A-3A state title at Magnolia Grove in Mobile. Pierce will receive his award this Friday (July 22) at the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Championship Coaches Banquet.
“When you’ve got good kids, good things happen,” said Pierce, who has coached the GHS girls golf team for the past five years. “It’s a big honor and I’m very appreciative, especially when it comes from you peers.”
It was the first state championship for a GHS girls varsity sport.
“That was a goal that our girls had, one that they prepared for all year,” said Pierce. “The first thing you have to do is make it [to state], and when you get there, anything can happen. Our girls displayed a lot mental toughness that you need with the good teams you’re going to face.”
Joining Pierce as state award winners were UMS-Wright’s Rick Cleveland in boys tennis; UMS-Wright’s Pat Galle in boys track and field; Fort Payne’s Jessie Gamez in boys soccer; Hartselle’s Chad Gladden in boys golf; Leeds’ Matt Hicks in wrestling; Hoover’s Devon Hind in girls track and field; Lawrence County’s Stanley Johnson in girls cross country; St. Paul’s Tyler Kerns in girls swimming and diving; Huntsville’s Reece Morton in girls tennis; Auburn’s Dan Norton in boys cross country; and Mountain Brook’s Han O’Quinn in volleyball.