Samson’s Devin Booth moving to Opelika

Devin Booth, Samson’s highly successful girls basketball coach of the last three years, is leaving the Class 2A program to take over at Class 6A Opelika.

The move became official Tuesday night when the Opelika School Board approved Booth as the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach.

“An opportunity arose,” Booth said Wednesday. “I am going to miss Samson, and I am going to miss these girls. I love them and I wish them nothing but the best, but this was a career move. It is a good step for me.”

Booth guided Samson to a 79-14 record in three years, capped by a 32-1 record and a Class 2A state title in 2006-07, her first year. She was named the
Alabama Sports Writers Association state Class 2A Coach of the Year and the Dothan Eagle Small Schools Coach of the Year following that season.

She directed the Lady Tigers to a 26-5 record and the state Final Four in her second year.

This past season, Samson finished 21-8 and reached the sub-regionals before being upset by Houston County.

Booth is originally from the Wiregrass, graduating from Opp in 1996. She played college basketball at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City
and at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.

Booth said she informed Samson players of her move Wednesday afternoon.

“It was tough and a few of them were upset, but I think they understood,” Booth said.

She said leaving Samson will be difficult.

“I am grateful to Samson for the opportunity and for the support they have here,” Booth said. “Samson has the greatest fans in the world

“I love the girls. They were classy from my first year to the end.”

On the flip side, Booth said she was excited about the opportunity at Opelika.

“The administration and new athletic director (Brian Blackmon) seem to be very supportive,” Booth said. “I am looking forward to being a part of their program.”

Booth takes over an Opelika program that finished 15-15 last year and reached the subregionals before losing to Dothan.

She replaces Crystal Williams, who resigned to move back to Georgia to be closer to her family.

“I’m extremely excited about what she brings to our girls program,” Blackmon told the Opelika-Auburn News.

Booth said she has plans to build Opelika basketball from the ground up, developing talent at early age.

“I will be involved from elementary on up through the high school,” Booth said.

Before coaching Opelika, Booth will help coach the South team at the Alabama High School Sports Weekend’s North-South game in Huntsville on July 16.