Tuscaloosa Academy Basketball Coach Barry Sanderson Headed To Northridge

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Longtime Tuscaloosa Academy basketball coach and local radio personality Barry Sanderson has been hired as the new basketball coach at Northridge High School.

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The news was first reported Monday by Gary Harris of WVUA 23 News.

Sanderson — the son of legendary Tide basketball coach Wimp Sanderson — made his own name for himself in the college ranks as an assistant at Wake Forrest and South Carolina, before finding himself the head coach at Tuscaloosa Academy.

Over six seasons, five of which were in the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA), his teams compiled a 120-36 record, making it to the AISA state title came four out of the five years and winning it all twice.

"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity TA gave me over the last six years, " Sanderson told Patch on Monday. "This was our first year in AHSAA and our kids did great. At one point during the season, we were ranked No. 1 in Class 2A. We beat [eventual 2A state champions] Alicevile and gave them their only loss and beat a few 4A schools like Hale County, who went to the Final Four.

Sanderson said he has close ties with many at Northridge and will also be the head coach for his son — junior Jack Sanderson. Jack Sanderson is also a standout on the baseball diamond and has committed to play college baseball at Auburn.

"I'm excited to get to coach him and for the opportunity to go to Northridge and try to do things there that have never been done," Sanderson told Patch. "It's great area, with Bryant, Hillcrest and Central, so I can't wait to get started and just look forward to supporting all the coaches at Northridge."

Sanderson also said he and his father will also continue to host their morning radio program "Inside the Locker Room" on Tide 100.9.

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