A look at new Hartselle baseball coach Brad Phillips

For the Enquirer

For the first time in more than 35 years, Hartselle baseball will have a new coach. Brad Phillips will follow in the footsteps of legendary coach William Booth.

Booth led the Hartselle program to nine state championships. He has had numerous players named All-State and go on to play college ball. Booth passed away May 15 prior to Hartselle playing in the 2024 state championships. “I am looking forward to the challenge of attempting to follow in the footsteps of Coach Booth. He is a legend when it comes to baseball in this state and I know he has had an impact on so many lives and not just on the baseball field,” Phillips said. “I know what this community and program meant to him, and if I can fill a tiny fraction of the footprint that he has made at Hartselle then I will consider my soon-to-be time at Hartselle a success. It is very humbling to think that the last time a coach was hired to lead the baseball program was almost four decades ago. That says so much about Coach Booth and his commitment to Hartselle City Schools.

Phillips also praised athletic director Jake Miles, who had the difficult task of serving as the interim coach during the last couple of seasons.

“The Hartselle baseball program has always been in great hands, even during tough times of transition the last few years with Coach Miles helping with the program himself,” Phillips added. “I hope to play a small part in the continued tradition of such a storied program.” Phillips comes to Hartselle after spending the past six years as pitching coach at the University of South Alabama.

“Leaving the Division 1 ranks wasn’t a decision that came easy,” Phillips said. “There is so much to enjoy at that level as a coach and being at that level for 17 years at two great baseball programs with Troy University and South Alabama. It wasn’t easy to walk away. However, it can become so time-consuming on a dayto-day basis that it can be challenging trying to manage both personal and professional obligations.

Phillips is married and has two children who will be entering the Hartselle City School system.

“I have two young children who are getting to the age where I need to be around more,” Phillips said. “We also have family in the area, so Hartselle was a great fit for us because it is one of the state’s elite high school programs. I was not going to leave for any job. It had to be the right one, and Hartselle City Schools and the baseball program checked off so many boxes for my family and me. We are looking forward to the transition, but at the end of the day, it’s the same game at both levels. The process to get to game day looks slightly different at either level.”