The following is a story by John Goolsby, prep sports editor of the Trussville Tribune:
IRONDALE, Ala. (Trussville Tribune) -- George Bates has accepted the head football coach position at Shades Valley. Bates becomes the twenty-third head coach of the Mounties.
“I want to thank Mr. Sarhaan, Mr. Kanaday along with Dr. Gonsulin,” said Bates. “My family and I are so excited to be a part of such an elite high school with such a great tradition.”
“I’m excited to meet the complete scholar-athletes and introduce myself to them and allow them to introduce themselves to me,” he said.
Bates moves from Center Point after seven seasons as head coach and athletic director. The Midfield product compiled a 52-30 record there, leading the Eagles to seven consecutive playoff appearances and making two trips to the quarterfinals.
Before becoming the head coach at Center Point, Bates was the head coach at Parker, Minor, and Woodlawn and holds a 91-60 overall record over thirteen seasons.
The University of West Alabama graduate will take over the Valley program from Rueben Nelson, who stepped down last Thursday.
Nelson, 15-22, over the last four years at Valley, became head coach in 2021 after a nine-year run at Ramsay, where he compiled a 74-36 record and won the 2016 6A state title. Nelson will return to Ramsay as an assistant principal.
“It’s so surreal following a friend and legend in Coach Nelson,” he said. “I’m a football junkie and an outside-the-box, glass-full type coach, so my expectations for what can and will be done are through the roof.”
Bates is well respected in the coaching community for his development of kids on and off the field.
“George does an outstanding job getting his kids ready to play every Friday,” said Clay-Chalkville head coach Stuart Floyd. “He does an even better job mentoring and providing experiences for them that will help guide them in life.”
Jake Ganus’ Moody Blue Devils faced off against Bates’ Eagles this past season, the only meeting between the two coaches. “I only got to compete against Coach Bates once,” said Ganus. “But as far as reputations go in this profession, he’s got one of the best.”
“You could tell from afar, that he loved his kids and taught them how to be successful young men,” said Ganus. “I have nothing but respect for him and I’m excited to see what God has in store for him in his future.”
Shades Valley Principal Taki Sarhaan is looking to return the Mountie football program back to relevance after a dismal twenty-five-year run. The program has gone 95-164, suffered through 18 losing seasons, and made only six playoff appearances since 2000.
Sarhaan is optimistic that he has taken the first step in that process by hiring Bates.
“I had the distinct pleasure of watching Coach Bates up close and personal during my tenure as principal at Minor Middle School,” said Sarhaan.“
“Coach Bates was the head football coach at Minor High School at the time, and I witnessed first hand how he turned that program around on the field and off the field.”
“He was a true mentor and role model for those players, and it was amazing to see how they carried themselves in the hallways during the school day,” he said.
“I knew we would have an opportunity to work together one day, and I’m honored to call him our head football coach.”
Shades Valley last won a region title in 1999. From 1983 to 1999, the Mounties claimed 11 region titles, made 14 playoff appearances, and played in four semi-final games and two state championship games.
Bates is undeterred by the Mounties lack of success in the twenty-first century.
“We will get to work soon and produce a product in the classroom, community and competition that the City of Irondale, current student and alums will be proud of,” Bates said. “I can’t wait to yell Go Mounties!”