Lawrence County's Trent Walker leads Red Devils' resurgence
Dec. 30—MOULTON — Two years ago, the Lawrence County Red Devils traveled to James Tucker Stadium to face the Brewer Patriots for their homecoming. Despite being 0-8 at the time, head coach Trent Walker still remembers how loud that Lawrence County crowd that traveled with them was.
"I turn around and our bleachers are packed. It's their homecoming and at that moment, we had more people there than they did." Walker said. "I said 'Guys, look behind you, look at the support this community has for this program. We are 0-8 and have played some bad football. But if we can get some talent here, it's going to be special."
This year the Red Devils had their first winning record (6-5) since 2015 and captured four region wins to place third in Class 5Am Region 8 (4-2). For this, Walker has been named The Decatur Daily's 5A-7A Large School Coach of the Year.
"Anytime anyone has had a major accomplishment in their life, they've had to stand on the shoulders of others to do it. I have stood on the shoulders of so many people to get this," Walker said. "I am just so thankful and humble to be at a place that does it the way we do it."
Walker spent time coaching as a volunteer coaching assistant at Auburn, then as an assistant coach at Virginia Military Institute, Gadsden City and Cullman High School, before making his way to Moulton. He said that when he was hired as head coach at Lawrence County in 2021, he didn't know much about the school but felt like he had been guided there.
"I just had this tremendous peace about it. My wife was pregnant. We were coming out of COVID. We had just remodeled a house," Walker said. "There was a lot going on, but I just felt at peace about it. That this is where I was supposed to go, so I just took that leap of faith."
His one stipulation was the hiring of his assistant head coach, Jonlee Sasser. Once the school agreed, he took the job and said he knew he'd made the right decision.
"I have gotten the opportunity to become so close to this community," Walker said. "One of the narratives in the coaching world when I took this job was 'no support,' but I can tell you from the top down, from our superintendent Dr. Jon Bret Smith to the Moulton school district members, I have had nothing but support."
He said his next plans are to put roots down in Moulton. He wants to continue to update the program and get involved with the middle school because, "It's time to stay here, build a wall and find some Moulton-men that want to be here." Walker said.
Walker believes that Lawrence County has what it takes to be great.
"One quote I heard was that Lawrence County's the best kept secret around, and as someone who's not from here, I've come to believe that, too," Walker said. "When I wear my Lawrence County stuff, I'm proud."
