Bessemer Academy names new head football coach

Bessemer, AL – Bessemer Academy has announced that longtime assistant Jonathan Wright will be the Rebels 17th head football coach.  

The Bessemer Academy School Board made the hire official Wednesday night. 

The Pickens Academy and University of West Alabama grad has spent the past 12 seasons on the Rebels staff serving as the AISA program’s strength and conditioning coach and as an offensive assistant. Jonathan is the younger brother of former Rebels coach Josh Wright who resigned following the 2020 season to accept the head coaching position at Tuscaloosa Academy

The past two Rebel head coaches have lead Bessemer Academy to four AISA state championships apiece.  Josh lead the BA program to a 131-27 record including eight region crowns and four state titles over 13 seasons.  Current Thompson Warriors head coach Mark Freeman guided the Rebs to a 101-21 mark, four state championships and six region titles from 1998 to 2007.  

Jonathan’s father Lynn was inducted to the AISA Hall of Fame after completing at 25 year head coaching career which included five state championships.  His brother Jody is currently a defensive assistant with the NFL’s New York Giants.  

The Rebels are coming off a 8-3 season in 2020.