Coach Bryan Moore looks to make an impact in Hartselle 

“I am passionate about the game of football. I am intense. I love to practice, love the offseason, and love the games. I truly love all aspects of football.”  

Those are the words of Bryan Moore, who was named head coach for the Hartselle Tigers Jan. 7. He is the team’s sixth head coach in the past 50 years.   

Moore came to Hartselle following stints at Jasper and Eufaula. During his five years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 49-12 and five playoff appearances, including two regional championships. 

“I chose Hartselle because I felt like this is where God wanted my family,” said Moore. “Hartselle is a great school system with a history of winning. I have always believed you should never close doors; this door opened, and I could not turn my back on it.” 

Moore said he decided to go into coaching when his playing career had ended. “I learned so much from sports while growing up,” he said, “that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” He said his dad has had the most significant influence on his life, both on the field and off. “My father instilled in me the drive to work hard and earn everything and not to expect anything from anyone.” 

Moore got his start in coaching as a student at Auburn University in 2005. His first stop was at his high school alma mater, Springwood School. 

Following the season, he joined Spence McCracken’s staff at Opelika High School. McCracken was one of the greats in Alabama high school football history, finishing with 279 wins in 30 years as a head coach – 130 of those coming as head coach at Opelika. Moore coached under McCracken until the latter retired in 2008.  

In 2009 Moore was retained at Opelika by new head coach Brian Blackmon, who promoted him to the varsity coaching staff at the age of 23. After two seasons, Blackmon promoted him to the offensive coordinator position. Blackmon is another of Moore’s coaching idols and mentors. 

In 2015, at the age of 29, Moore was hired as head coach at Eufaula. In three years there, he led the Tigers to a 26-9 record and three trips to the Class 5A playoffs, including two trips to the second round. He also served as the athletic director for the school. 

In 2018 he left to take over the Jasper Vikings program. The previous year, the Vikings finished 3-7. In 2018, the Vikings finished 11-2 and won a region championship. They lost in the third round of the playoffs. In 2019 the Vikings finished 11-1 and won another a region championship, a season performance that led to being ranked No. 1 in 5A for 10 weeks. The No. 1 ranking was the first-ever for a Vikings team since the Alabama Sports Writers Association started ranking teams in 1960. 

Moore said he is excited for the chance to follow in the footsteps of former Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey. 

“Coach Godsey is a winner and an incredible leader,” said Moore. “I believe he and I are a lot alike, and I am so thankful to have a relationship with him. I hope to spend as many years here as he did. It is amazing hearing what the assistant coaches have to say about him and how beloved he is by this town; I can only hope to have the same impact that he has had here.” 

Moore said coaching has allowed him to “have the chance to see former players become husbands and fathers. It is amazing to see them with their kids. Hopefully, something myself or other coaches said might have influenced them in their role as a husband or father.” 

He said fans can expect his best every day as head coach. “As a coach, I want to be the best I can be and push to try to make other coaches and players reach their potential,” said Moore. “It is my goal for us to win a bunch of games – to win region championships and state championships – but it is more important that we create a culture that makes great people. I will never make promises about results, but what I will promise is my best as well as the best from our coaches and players.” 

Off the field, Moore said he is, first and foremost, a family man and a believer. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Lindsey for 11 years, and they have known one another for 19 years. They have three boys, Parker, Baker, and Tucker. “I want us to have a very normal life, and I want to be present,” Moore said. “In this profession, you can be pulled in many directions and not see your kids and wife a lot, but I work hard not to allow that to happen.” 

Moore said he believes people are on this earth to affect each other positively. “I truly feel this is the purpose of my life as well as my wife,” he said. 

“We’re excited to be here,” he added. “Hartselle is one of the best jobs in Alabama. Go Tigers!”