Priceville names Seth Parker new football coach

Feb. 9—PRICEVILLE — Priceville has found its new head football coach.

Seth Parker was announced as the new head of the program Thursday night after it was approved during the Morgan County Board of Education's meeting.

Priceville High School Principal Shane Hopkins said the school received more than 50 applications and he interviewed nine. In the end he felt Parker was the best fit.

"Everyone that I talked to talked about his football IQ. They said he was going to be a head coach one day; it was just a matter of when," Hopkins said. "He's an exceptional person with exceptional character, and he fits the culture we've built and are building here at Priceville."

Parker comes to Priceville from Bob Jones, where he was the team's offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Prior to that, he was the wide receivers coach for the Patriots and also spent one year at Athens.

This is his first head coaching job.

"This is a dream come true," Parker said. "I've always wanted to be a head coach, but to be at a place like Priceville is an unbelievable opportunity. This is a great program and community, and I'm blessed to be the one chosen to lead it."

Parker replaces Chris Foster, who took the head coaching job at Brookwood in January after compiling a 40-18 record in five seasons.

Foster led the Bulldogs to their first playoff win in 2019, first 10-win season in 2021, first undefeated regular season in 2022 and first third consecutive playoff appearance in 2023,

While Parker will be filling big shoes, he's also stepping into a program that is in much better shape than it was five years ago.

"I have nothing but respect and admiration for coach Foster for what he accomplished here," Parker said. "He laid a phenomenal foundation, and my goal is to continue to build on that."

Over the past five years, Priceville has built a reputation as a physical, run-heavy team, producing 2,000-plus-yard rushers in multiple seasons under Foster. Under Parker, Bob Jones had a similar pedigree.

The Patriots averaged 30 points per game in his three seasons as offensive coordinator and last season produced a Class 7A, first-team All-State running back in Tyren Washington, who rushed for 1,420 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

While it may look different than the single wing offense the Bulldogs ran under Foster, their identity will remain the same.

"We want to be physical, and that goes for both sides of the ball, not just offense," Parker said. "At Bob Jones, I did a little bit of everything. I like to air it out sometimes, but our offense will be catered to what we do best."

"Games are decided by running the ball, and Priceville did a great job at that these past few years. We plan to continue to do that," Parker added.

Parker is 28 years old. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Sutton, and the couple has an 8-month-old daughter, Cooper.

—caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2