Florence’s Wade Waldrop set to become Hoover Bucs head football coach

Hoover, AL – PrepsNet has learned that Florence Falcons head coach Wade Waldrop will be named Hoover High School’s next leader on the gridiron. 

Waldrop is expected to officially be approved as the Bucs’ 8th head coach at Hoover City Schools board meeting Thursday afternoon at 5:30 PM. 

The Hartselle native will take over for former Hoover head coach Josh Niblett who resigned in December to accept the same position at Georgia’s Gainsville High School.  Niblett lead the Bucs to a combined 171-26 record including six state championships, eight region titles and a pair of undefeated seasons during his 14 year run at the helm of the Hoover program.  

Waldrop comes to Hoover after spending one season as head coach at 7A Florence where he lead the Falcons to a 5-6 record, notching a 5-2 mark in region play.  The Falcon offense scored 383 points, averaging 34.8 points per contest while holding opponents to 25.5 per game.  His lone season in the Renaissance City came to a close with a first round postseason loss to eventual 7A state champion Thompson.   

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Before accepting the head coaching position at Florence in 2021, the UAB graduate spent eight seasons at the helm of the James Clemens football program.  He lead the Jets to a 54-35 record, six playoff berths, a pair of region championships and a 38-18 mark in region play.  His first head coaching stop was a seven year stint at Chelsea where he guided the Hornets to a 41-34 mark including four playoff appearances and a region crown in his first season with the Shelby County program.  

The Bucs won’t be the only 7A Region 3 program with new leadership on the sidelines in 2022. Rival Vestavia Hills is currently searching for a replacement for former coach Sean Calhoun who resigned following the 2021 season to accept the head coaching position at Colquitt County High (GA).  Spain Park recently nabbed former Jackson-Olin head coach Tim Vakakas to lead the Jaguars football program

Waldrop will lead the Bucs on the gridiron for the first time against fellow 2021 Class 7A semifinalist Auburn High School, August 19th, in the 17th annual AHSAA Kick-Off Classic at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.