Alabama high school football coach retires after 25 years at the helm
One of Alabama’s most successful high school football coaches over the past decade is calling it a career.
On Thursday, the Randolph Leader reported that Larry Strain, the head coach at Handley (Ala.) was stepping down as the program’s head coach and retiring from football. He had led the program for 10 years, winning state championships in 2016 and 2020 at the Class 4A level. During that span, he also amassed a record of 84-36, turning Handley into a consistent regional and state contender.
“There’s a time in life to go do some other things,” the 62-year-old told East Alabama Sports Today. “I really don’t know (what that will be), but just go do some work, do something else and just enjoy some grandkids.”
Prior to his decade-long run at Handley, he coached at White Plains and Woodland. He led the latter to two runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2006, and leaves coaching with an all-time record of 186-122 over 27 seasons.
“The Handley Family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Coach Larry Strain for his exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to the Handley Tigers. His commitment to the success and growth of Handley athletics has left an indelible mark on the program,” Roanoke City Schools said in a statement regarding Strain’s retirement.
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Strain told EAST that while some of the changes in high school football due to recruiting played a part in his decision, he simply didn’t have the same energy for coaching that he used to. And that was the biggest factor for him.
“That plays a factor, in one way, but it comes back to the fact of having the same zeal that you had 30 years ago to go get it each and every day and just face the grind, and it is a grind,” he said.
Defensive coordinator Chris White has reportedly been tabbed as Strain’s replacement. He takes over a program coming off a 7-4 campaign in 2024 that ended with a first round-playoff loss. Prior to this season, the Tigers had won 44 of their past 52 games dating back to the 2020-21 season.