Etowah football looking for new coach, Matt Glover tenure comes to a close
Etowah High School football is looking for a new coach, the school confirmed to the Gadsden Times on Tuesday.
On Monday, a job posting for a new head football coach was listed by the Attalla City Schools. The Blue Devils old coach Matt Glover was placed on leave earlier this season, it is unclear how Glover was let go but it looks like his short tenure at Etowah is over.
"The head football job has been posted. We are looking for someone who can build upon the rich traditions of our football program with a vision for success as well as dedicated to developing young student-athletes into outstanding individuals both on and off the field. Obviously, we would like to have a coach in place sooner than later, but we will take as much time as needed to find the right fit. Interested persons may contact Dr. Ryan McClendon, Principal at rmcclendon@attalla.k12.al.us," McClendon wrote in a statement to the Gadsden Times.
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As time of publish, Glover and Attalla City Schools did not respond to inquiries from the Gadsden Times.
Glover was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 6 but Etowah High or Attalla City Schools did not give a reason for the move. At the time the Blue Devils were 0-2 with losses to Springville and Fort Payne. The season ended up being one of the worst in recent memory, as the Blue Devils went 3-8 (3-3 Class 4A, Region 6). It is the worst season since 1985 and the first losing season since 2009.
The move sees the end of Glover's 14-game tenure as the head of the Blue Devils' program. They went 8-4 in year one, finishing in a tie for first in Class 4A, Region 6 with state finalist Cherokee County and semifinalist Oneonta. Etowah fell in the second round of the state playoffs, failing to finish a comeback versus Deshler.
Glover came to Etowah in 2022, after spending time as the defensive coordinator at Clay Chalkville, a Class 6A school in Jefferson County. He has been the head coach at St. Clair County, Pinson Valley and Moody for a combined 15 years as head coach in the state. Glover's record is 85-76, with an 8-10 playoff record.
Baseball coach Blake Bone took over as interim coach. Bone recently led the Etowah baseball team to the AHSAA Class 4A State Championship, with starting quarterback Jameson Scissum earning MVP honors at pitcher. It is unclear if he will be a candidate for the full-time role.
There is a long winning tradition in Etowah with at least five region wins every year since 2009. That span has seen five region titles, the most recent coming in 2020 but the Blue Devils have finished on the wrong side of a three way tie the last two seasons before finishing fourth this year.
The Etowah opening is the first known opening in the Gadsden area this season.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah high football is looking for a new football coach
