Pike County football coach leaves for Alma Bryant

By: David Mundee | Dothan Eagle
Published: January 06, 2010

For the third straight year, the vacancy sign has popped open at the top of the Pike County football program.

Pike County Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell confirmed to the Dothan Eagle Tuesday night that Eddie Stephenson is leaving the Class 3A program to take over Class 6A Alma Bryant.

Bazzell said Stephenson informed him of his intentions several days ago.

Stephenson coached Pike County for only one season but led the Bulldogs to a 9-1 record and to the state playoffs.

“Let me say that we where disappointed to hear that coach is leaving as he did a good job for us,” Mark Bazzell said. “We hate to see him go. We feel the program is better off now than it was when he took over.

“It is a good program with everybody pulling in the same direction.”

Efforts by the Eagle to reach Stephenson Tuesday night were unsuccessful.

Bazzell said Pike County defensive coordinator Zeb Ellison will take over the daily leadership of the Bulldog program until a search for a permanent replacement is found.

Stephenson’s hiring was also reported on The Mobile Press-Register Web site Tuesday. The article said that Bryant principal Doug Estle confirmed the hiring and that Stephenson met with Bryant players Tuesday afternoon.

Stephenson replaces Ronnie Cottrell, who was fired after two seasons with the Hurricanes’ program. Cottrell is a former Alabama and Florida State assistant coach who took over Alma Bryant after a couple of seasons at Carroll in Ozark.

Stephenson became Pike County’s coach last winter after Brad Waggoner coached the Bulldogs for one season and left to coach in Georgia.

The two followed longtime and highly successful coach Wayne Grant, who guided the Bulldogs to five state titles in two coaching spans, the last title coming in 2006.

Despite the quick turnaround of coaches leaving, Bazzell feels confident the program is on solid ground.

“Overall, we are headed in the right direction with the program,” Bazzell said.

In his one season in Brundidge, Stephenson led Pike County to a 9-0 regular season record before losing in the first round of the state playoffs to eventual state semifinalist Luverne.

Stephenson came to Pike County after spending four seasons at Citronelle, located in Southwest Alabama. He was head coach in his final season at Citronelle, leading the Wildcats to the second round of the state playoffs.

Prior to coaching at Citronelle, Stephenson was head coach for one season at Samson, going 2-8 with the Tigers.

Stephenson also has another tie to the Wiregrass, having played high school ball at Carroll.