County Looks To Fund Hillcrest Improvements Amid Coaching Search

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Commission will vote Wednesday on a measure to allocate $60,000 in discretionary funds to pay for building materials and supplies for ongoing renovation efforts for the Hillcrest High School football program.

The measure has been in talks for some time and coincides with the announcement that Hillcrest coach Sam Adams had resigned and was announced as the next head coach at Oxford High on Monday. If passed, the money will be used primarily on improvements for the team's field house, as parents and the program's booster club will contribute much in the way of in-kind services, such as labor.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

"It's interesting because we had planned to do this before I knew anything about Coach Adams leaving, but I do think it goes to show the commitment the community and school have to providing the facilities that a 6A school deserves to have," said District 3 Commissioner Mark Nelson, who will request the $60,000 from his district's discretionary funds.

As a head coaching search now begins for the Patriots, Nelson told Patch the proposed improvements, which are expected to eventually include additional renovations to the football complex and its scoreboard, could make the job that much more attractive to a high-quality coach capable of building upon past success and investing long-term in the job.

As Patch previously reported, Adams left the Patriots after seven seasons, six of which saw the school make it to the postseason. Standards are high for the program and after crosstown rival Tuscaloosa County hired Auburn head coach Adam Winegarden to rebuild its struggling football program, all eyes will now turn to who the next top man will be for the Patriots.

Nelson said he hopes the contribution on the part of the county, if passed, will help continue to promote a culture of success for the program, while underscoring the vital role played by those in the community in making all of it happen.

"Last year, we gave a significant amount of money for weight equipment," he said of the Commission's efforts. "The Commission does a lot to support athletics there in Hillcrest, because the difference in Hillcrest and County High, if County High wants something, they go to the city of Northport and ask. Hillcrest doesn’t have that option.

"Football is something our community rallies around," he added. "All of the sports are important, but if you look at the facilities — the girl's softball field, tennis courts, boy's baseball, indoor baseball complex — they are all built and paid for by the community, not by the school board or Commission. The community has always given, given and given and we just want to help them get the facilities a 6A school deserves."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.