Mikel Riggs takes over as West Morgan’s head coach

Mikel Riggs will lead the 2018 West Morgan football team after John Ritter’s departure for the head coaching position at Russellville.

Riggs began his career as a defensive back coach at Foley High before moving to his alma mater, T.R. Miller High, where he worked under his father, Jamie – the third-winningest head coach in Alabama history.

Riggs spent the past two seasons at Leeds High as an offensive coordinator.

“The more and more I researched this school and this town, it was just evident that this was a football community,” Riggs said. “I wanted to make sure (the community) was hungry, and I wanted to make sure there would be things in place to support myself, my staff and this team.

“It seemed like the perfect storm here in Trinity and West Morgan.”

West Morgan lost a large group of seniors from last year’s team, which went 10-2 and made it to the second round of the 3A playoffs. However, Riggs said there is still a “nucleus” of those who played last year, who understand what it takes to be successful.

“The good thing is that I didn’t have to come in here and change the culture,” Riggs said. “That was already here, and I want to continue to build off that.”

Riggs, who graduated from Auburn University in 2011, will have to lead a young team as West Morgan moves up to 4A this season. The Rebels’ first game of the season will be at Ardmore High Aug. 24.

For more on the 2018 West Morgan football team, including the roster and team photo, check out the 2018 Hartselle Enquirer Football Preview in August.