Coach Josh Wright: Looking back on local legend's 16-year career following his 150th win

Last Friday, local coaching legend Josh Wright earned his 150th career win in Tuscaloosa Academy's 44-23 win over Aliceville.

Wright is currently in his third season at the helm of the Knights program, leading TA in its transition from Alabama Independent School Association to the Alabama High School Athletic Association last year. In the Knights first season in the AHSAA, Wright led his team to a second-place finish in 2A-Region 5 along with making it to the third round of Class 2A state playoffs.

"(Coming to TA) was a great opportunity for him to make a change and for us as well," TA Athletic Director Byron Alston said. "I think at the time he even knew that the AHSAA was what we needed to do to make that transition, and he was wanting to help lead that charge. We have been fortunate to have him here."

Before his time at TA, Wright was at Bessemer Academy for 13 years, where he helped the Rebels become an AISA powerhouse. In his time there, he led Bessemer Academy to nine region championships and four state titles.

After the win on Friday night, Wright had no idea he had won his 150th game. It was not until his team dumped him with the cooler that he was aware of the milestone.

"At first I thought it was because we beat Aliceville, because they are a perennial power," Wright said. "I knew something was up, and I heard over the speakers about a special presentation or something, but I still didn't know what it was."

Looking back on his 16-year career, where he has gone 150-46, Wright was overcome with emotion. All the kids he had coached, the coaches he worked with and his family came to mind, but the one thing that stuck out, Wright said, was the losses — including the 2014 state championship loss during his time at Bessemer Academy.

"Coaches remember the losses a lot more than the wins for some reason," Wright said. "But you live with it."

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Following the win Friday night, Wright had former players reaching out to him after they heard the news. Wright heard from players from all over, including Auburn, Texas A&M and even the Buffalo Bills, offering their congratulations to their former coach, further proving the impact he had on the young men he has coached.

Football has always been in Wright's blood. It all started with his father, the late Lynn Wright, who Wright said taught him everything. Lynn Wright was a longtime coach at Pickens Academy, and when he got done coaching in 2006, he finished with a record of 209-75, along with winning nine state championships along the way and being named to the AISA Hall of Fame.

Wright spent his whole playing career under his father's leadership at Pickens Academy. During his time there, he was a member of the three undefeated state championship teams from the years of 1994-96. Wright's coaching career even stems from his father, spending two years coaching under him at Pickens Academy.

"He was our guy," Wright said of his father Lynn. "He set everything. He was special."

Wright has two brothers, and all share the same football background. His brother Jonathan took over for him as head coach at Bessemer Academy, and his other brother Jody is currently the tight ends coach at the University of South Carolina.

Wright has been married to his wife, Caroline, for 11 years. The couple have two children, Lydia, 5, and Howell, 10 1/2 months old. His family was in attendance on Friday to watch Wright reach his career milestone.

As for what is next, Wright said he is just looking for the next win.

"I'm looking for win 151," he said.

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa Academy coach Josh Wright celebrates his 150th career win