When the Hartselle Tigers step on to the gridiron this fall, they’ll do so without Coach Bob Godsey.

Godsey was named the new head coach at Madison Academy Friday morning. That means the Hartselle Tigers will now begin the search for a head coach for the first time in 17 years.

Godsey is leaving the Tigers’ program as its winningest head coach with 141 victories. He led the Tigers to their only state championship in 2011.

Prior to coming to Hartselle, he was the head coach at Brooks for five seasons. He has an overall record of 183-66 in 22 seasons as a head coach.

“I’m blessed beyond words to have had the opportunity to coach at Hartselle High School for 16 years and equally blessed to have the opportunity to coach at Madison Academy,” Godsey said.

“My employment with Madison Academy is effective immediately. I will be working between Hartselle and Madison until the end of the current school term, and my family will continue to make our home in Hartselle.”

Godsey will replace Grant Reynolds who led the Mustangs program for four seasons, compiling a 28-10 record including a 10-2 mark this past season. Reynolds left to take over as head coach of East Hamilton in Ooltewah, Tenn.

 “Madison Academy is a Class 5A school with a long list of accomplishments,” Godsey said. “I feel we can bring some positive things to their program that will add to its success.”

 “We are honored to have Coach Godsey join the Mustang family,” MA President Dr. Terry Davis said. “His experience and success as a football coach are well-recognized, and his lifelong commitment to developing young men of character fits well with our mission at Madison Academy.”

Godsey met with the Hartselle staff and players Friday morning to inform them of his departure.

 “Coach Godsey is one of the best coaches in the state,” Hartselle principal Brad Cooper said. “We are proud of what he has done for our school and our community. We are in the early stages of discussing what our plan will be moving forward.We want to make sure that we hire the right person for the job,” he added. “We do not want to rush this process just to have someone in place for spring practice.”

The Tigers are coming off an 11-1 season. They were ranked as high as No. 1 in 6A for the final few weeks of the season.

They will lose 22 seniors including running back Keondre Swoopes, a UAB signee, and quarterback Luke Godsey.