Tad Niblett steps down as Foley’s head football coach, athletic director - AL.com

Tad Niblett has stepped down as Foley High’s head football coach and athletic director after five seasons.

Niblett told the team of his decision Tuesday morning.

“It has just come to a point where there needs to be a new perspective,” Niblett told AL.com. “Just like when we came here, this was a decision we came to through prayer, and it was about family.

“Both of our kids graduated from Foley. One is now in college. One has graduated from college. All of our family is in the north part of the state. We are in that season of life where we felt the need to be closer to family, and that weighed into that decision.”

Niblett did not say where his next job would be. He did say he would remain at Foley “for the next few weeks” to help in the transition.

He went 17-34 with the Lions. He made the playoffs in his first season (2015), but the team has struggled since. Foley went 2-8 in 2019.

Before arriving at Foley, Niblett was offensive coordinator at Hoover. He also has been head coach at a pair of AISA stops – Springwood and Central Christian.

“This was my choice,” Niblett said. “Coach (Russ) Moore (Foley principal) has been great. I couldn’t ask for a better person to work for. In fact, I’ve developed a lot of great relationships during my time here as has my family.”

Foley will become the third high school with a football coaching vacancy in Baldwin County this year. Elberta promoted Lanny Jones to replace Greg Seibert in December. Baldwin County High is expected to officially name a replacement for Nate McDaniel next week.

Niblett said he will have fond memories of his time at Foley, though it has been challenging at times as well.

“When we were making the decision to come here, we asked two questions: ‘Is this where God wants us to be and is this part of His plan?’ Niblett said. “Five years ago, everything pointed in this direction, and I believe we made the right decision.

“I’ve worked and tried to give this school my very best effort, and there is a lot that I’m extremely proud of. The kids have been great. They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do. I’m proud of our coaches and our parents and the city of Foley and their tireless work for the school and team. We are going to miss it.”

Niblett described the last two days as “gut-wrenching.”

“The kids are resilient,” he said. “They will keep working, just like they have been. They will continue to work and get better. We’ve had a good two months of off-season work. I don’t think there will be a drop off when the new coach arrives.”

Foley principal Russ Moore had nothing but positive things to say about Niblett and his tenure at the school.

“I’m very grateful to him for putting together an outstanding program,” he said. “I feel great about the fact that the kids have been under his direction for five years. I’m appreciative of all he and his wife have done for our community, and we certainly wish them nothing but the best.”

Moore said he already had received interest in the job from possible candidates and would like to move forward quickly, while also making sure the right person was hired.

“We will have a ton of interest,” he said. "It’s a great place to live, a great community and a great school. The kids are great to work with. Those things don’t mean it will always be easy, but we are blessed in a lot of ways. I look forward to having conversations with candidates as we move forward.

“We’ve been blessed to have coaches in the past with high character who ran things the right way, and we will start there. I know Xs and Os are important and I know a little about that myself, but we want to make sure we continue to have a coach who treats our kids the right way and who our parents can be proud to have working with their children.”

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Tad Niblett steps down as Foley’s head football coach, athletic director - AL.com
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