Fayette County Grad Named Head Baseball Coach At Bevill State

FAYETTE, AL —Bevill State Community College on Thursday announced that Fayette County High School graduate Coley Blakeney is staying in Fayette to serve as the school's next head baseball coach.

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

Blakeney served as pitching coach during the 2022 season, which saw the Bears receive a bid to the regional tournament for the first time since athletics returned to Bevill State Community College.

“We are very excited to bring Coach Blakeney on board as the Head Coach of our baseball team," said BSCC Athletic Director Max Weaver. "He was an integral part of the success that we had last season and he has been closely involved in the recruitment of most of the players that we have on our current roster. Therefore, the team knows him, respects him, and responds to his instruction."

Weaver then touted the fact the fact that Blakeney graduated from nearby Fayette County High School and played baseball at Bevill State, providing an advantage when it comes to community connections.

"I believe Coach Blakeney clearly understands our College’s vision and goals for the program and for the future of our student-athletes," Weaver said. "I look forward to this season of Bears Baseball under his leadership and tutelage.”

Blakeney attended South Lamar High School before transferring to Fayette and graduating in 2001. He would go on to play his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of Alabama before transferring to Bevill State following shoulder surgery.

"Being a Fayette County graduate and a West Alabamian, I feel like Bevill State is home to me," he said. "I appreciate the outpouring of support that has been given to me by the community, family, and friends. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have this opportunity. I am confident that we will build a great program that develops great players and competes year in and year out for championships."

A member of the 2004 team, his Bevill State squad was the first team in school history to make it to the NJCAA Division 1 Region Tournament.

Following his time at BSCC, Blakeney went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of West Alabama. He would coach one season at Stillman College before leaving athletics for the private sector for several years.

Blakeney returned to the coaching ranks in 2019 when he was hired as the pitching coach at Gordo High School, eventually helping the team reach the state semi-finals. He then left for a job at Caledonia High School for two and a half years before returning to Bevill State as the pitching coach.

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