By BY BRUCE HIXON – sports editor
Gerald McAnally is well aware of the tradition the T.R. Miller Tigers football program has. McAnally is also equally aware of much of that tradition is built down below at the middle school level.
McAnally will try to continue to build T.R. Miller's tradition as the new head coach for the Brewton Middle School Tigers. McAnally takes over for Rob Atkinson, who is taking over T.R. Miller's cross country program next fall.
McAnally, a 1984 graduate of Escambia County High School, brings 15 years of coaching experience to Brewton. His most recent coaching position came last year at Hillcrest-Evergreen High School where he served as defensive line coach. He was also the head coach for Hillcrest's softball team this spring. Prior to that McAnally spent three seasons at Escambia Academy where he served as defensive line coach and junior varsity head coach. McAnally has also coached at the peewee and junior high levels.
McAnally inherits a BMS program that has won 13 straight games over two seasons. That included a perfect 8-0 mark last season under Atkinson's guidance.
Ron Jackson will remain on the BMS staff and will serve as offensive coordinator under McAnally's direction. Paul Smith will transfer from the high school staff and handle defensive duties.
McAnally plans to use offensive and defensive schemes that are similar to those used by T.R. Miller at the high school level.
McAnally takes over the BMS program at a time the Tigers' season schedule has been reduced from eight games last season to six games this coming year.
McAnally will also be the head boys basketball coach at BMS. Preceding BMS boys coach Greg White, who coached boys and girls the past two seasons, will coach girls only next year. McAnally will also serve as an assistant track coach with T.R. Miller next spring.