Tyler Crane named Oak Mountain Eagles head football coach

Birmingham, AL – One month after former Oak Mountain coach Cris Bell resigned to accept the top job at Scottsboro, the Eagles have landed their next head football coach.  The Eagles officially named current Central-Phenix City assistant Tyler Crane the 7A program’s fifth head football coach Friday morning.  

Crane takes over for Cris Bell, the longest tenured head football coach in program history, who lead the Eagles to a 47-49 record including a 27-36 mark in region play and four AHSAA playoff births over nine seasons.  The Eagles are coming off a 7-5 campaign in 2020 which included the first 4-0 start in program history a trip to the second round of the postseason.

“I know how special this place is and what it can be.  I know what kind of community we have.  Crane said during his introductory press conference.  “I have worked my hole life for this moment”.   

Crane, a Cedar Bluff High graduate, is beginning his second stint at Oak Mountain having served as the Eagles offensive line coach in 2016 and 2017.  He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Sand Rock before taking over as the defensive coordinator at Winterboro.  The Jacksonville State alum also spent time as an assistant at Cherokee County, Foley, Oak Mountain, Northridge and Central-Phenix City.  

Crane joins Vestavia Hills’ Sean Calhoun and Adam Winegarden at Tuscaloosa County as first year head coaches in class 7A Region 3.