The Belgreen Bulldogs took another important step this past toward starting football at the school.

At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Franklin County Board of Education approved the hiring of Luke Tucker to lead Belgreen High School football.

Tucker comes to BHS from Dale County and has 16 years of coaching experience. He is a former back-up quarterback at the University of Alabama and won the Class 4A state championship at Fayette County High School under his father, the legendary Fayette County coach Walden Tucker.

“Coach Tucker checked all the boxes,” said Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton. “He comes from a football family tradition; he played college football; and he has quality coaching experience.

“He had a fired-up attitude and was ready to take on the challenge of starting a program,” Hamilton added. “He had a plan for everything – for starting the program and sustaining the program.”

Belgreen has notified the AHSAA with its intention to start a football program next year. The Bulldogs will have to play a non-varsity schedule for two years before being placed into region competition.

Tucker said he is eager to get to Belgreen, meet people and be a part of the community.

“After talking to the superintendent and principal, I got to see their vision and excitement about the program,” said Tucker. “I know there is a lot of pride in Belgreen school and throughout the community.”

Tucker said he plans “to be a constant presence in the school and community, attend athletic events and encourage all kids to participate.”

“I plan to share my vision and enthusiasm to try to get the kids excited about playing,” he added.

He said a few immediate goals will be critical to getting the program started.

“I want to build a roster of interested players, establish my off-season strength and conditioning program and establish relationships with students, parents and community members,” Tucker shared.

Also hired at Tuesday’s meeting were longtime baseball coach David Ward and Sander Tverberg.

Ward, who coached baseball at Russellville and Northwest-Shoals, will now coach East Franklin Junior High baseball.

“This is just a great opportunity for me to help some young kids that want to get better and that love the game,” said Ward. “The game sure has been good to me.”

Tverberg will take over the Belgreen softball coaching position vacated by his wife Susie Tverberg, who left Belgreen for a teaching position at Northwest-Shoals. Susie will continue to help with the Belgreen softball program.

“I am excited to be able to have the opportunity to head a great tradition-filled program like Belgreen,” said Sander. “I am even more excited to have Susie stay around to lean on and keep working to continue the growth of the student athletes we have.

“I have always wanted the opportunity to lead a varsity program,” he added, “and I am so grateful to Mr. Hamilton and Mrs. Berryman for entrusting me with this successful Belgreen program.”