Munford Hires Former Shades Valley HC Bill Smith
Nic Thornton | PrepsNet
Munford, AL – After leading Shades Valley to three straight playoff appearances, and being forced to resign, Bill Smith has been named Munford High School’s new head football coach.
“I am thrilled and I am excited,” Smith said. “I am a little overwhelmed this late in the year, but I am going to hit the ground running.”
“Coach Wagnon left the program in very good shape. I have big shoes to fill, but I will work tirelessly to take his success and build on it, build relationships in the community and be everything I can be for the young people at Munford High School, not just the football players, but all students at Munford.”
Smith’s first head coaching job was at North Alabama’s Crossville High School. In two seasons at helm, he recorded a 9-11 record, which included a 6-4 season in 2010. In 2011, he took over a once proud but struggling Shades Valley program. After posting a 2-8 record in his first year with the Mounties, Smith posted a 24-11 record in his final three seasons in Irondale, including three consecutive playoff appearances.
“It was two totally different situations, but the football programs were not in good shape when I got to either of those schools,” Smith said. “The good Lord just blessed me, he showed me mercy and favor. I am going to take the same approach at Munford, which I know works.”
This time around Smith, a former University of Alabama punter, will be taking over a program with a recent history of winning. Before resigning to accept the top job at 6A Hazel Green former head coach Will Wagnon lead the Lions to a 37-22 record over five years, including three straight playoff appearances.
Smith will be entering a a changeling region, being forced with bumping heads against the reigning 4A state champion and perennial powerhouse Leeds Green Wave.
“I want to compete with the best 4A teams in the state,” Smith said. “Obviously, our region is really tough, it’s probably the toughest 4A region in the state.”
“Leeds no doubt will be preseason number one and deservingly so. Coach Keith Etheredge has done a fabulous job there. I want to get Munford to the sustained level of Leeds. I am really going to have to get a top-notch coaching staff together and keep them together for a while.”
