By Abby Turner
While the rest of us took our minds off school for the summer, the Hoover and Spain Park football teams were busy training for yet another football season as rivals. Although, despite the old saying, this is a town that might actually be big enough for the both of them.
Chip English, named interim head coach for Hoover after the resignation of Drew Gilmer, does not take his new position lightly. He said he is going to hold the coaching staff and players to a high standard, just like it’s always been at Hoover. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to lead a great program and a well-known program, and I think I’ve got big shoes to fill in regard to what Hoover Football has been through in the last 25 years," said English. “I’m excited for the challenge.”
Formerly the quarterback coach for Hoover under Wade Waldrop last season, English will serve as the head coach at Hoover for the remainder of the season. He said he is looking forward to seeing his guys get out there and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
When asked what makes Hoover special to him, English said it is undoubtedly the people.
“It is crucial to have talent and organization on your teams,” said English. “But what people don’t see are the people in the background, the administration, the superintendent, the principal, our booster club, our band, our cheerleaders, our parents. When you have all those variables in line, your season can be magical.”
English used three words to describe his players at Hoover: resilient, mature, and fun. “They’re just fun to be around, they really are,” English said. “They’re exciting to watch. And, when you have good kids, well, it’s always fun.”
Tim Vakakes, head coach at Spain Park since 2021, says his favorite part about coaching football is seeing his players become young men. “I love the sport, the scheme, the work…but seeing kids develop into young men is fun,” said Vakakes. “The difference in those four years makes what we do worth it.”
Vakakes was formerly the head coach at Jackson-Olin for nine years. He wasn’t planning on leaving, but when the opportunity at Spain Park arose, he said it felt like the good Lord was opening a door for him to go through, one that he didn’t know existed. “The people in this community love their kids and love their school,” said Vakakes. “It has been great from day one.”
Vakakes said challenge is in his DNA. He loves the challenge of football and the challenge of getting his players to buy into each other to reap the results. He loves that the locker room culture is a positive one now because it hasn’t always been that way. “These guys are working for each other, instead of simply with each other,” said Vakakes. “That makes such a big difference.”
Above all, he wants to be a positive role model for the kids. He leads a devotional every practice about being a man whom others can trust and depend on, who is humble and consistent. He wants to be a coach who models all of these things.
Throughout the year, the Jaguars lift weights four days a week. They try to train like heavyweights. “I tell them all the time, every heavyweight has their favorite punch: uppercut, jab, hook,” said Vakakes. “But the champions have chins. What we do on a daily basis develops their chin.”
Fans of both teams can expect fierce competition this year. The coaches and the athletes are ready to do whatever it takes.