Hartselle announces new football, basketball coaching staff members
Published 11:18 pm Thursday, June 4, 2020
Hartselle High School has added new members to the football and basketball coaching staffs for the upcoming school year.
Joining the football staff will be Matt Praytor as offensive coordinator, Austin Westbrook as running backs coach, John Rodgers as inside linebackers coach, Caleb Graham as outside linebackers coach and Joseph Hill as offensive and defensive line coach.
Praytor is a Hartselle alum and former offensive lineman for the Tigers. He has spent the past 14 years as the offensive line/strength and conditioning coach at Austin High School.
“Matt brings a veteran presence and a great knowledge of offensive line play to our offensive staff,” said Coach Bryan Moore. “I have been extremely impressed with Matt and his attention to detail.”
Westbrook previously coached at Alabama Christian Academy and served as an offensive analyst at Samford University. “Austin is a young coach with tremendous drive and passion,” said Moore. “He has worked at the college level and will be an incredible addition to our staff.”
Rodgers has 13 years of coaching and teaching experience in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. “John brings coordinating experience to the program as well as experience as a strength and conditioning coordinator,” said Moore. “He has an incredible desire to be a great coach and is what you are looking for as a linebackers coach.”
Moore said Graham’s “knowledge of the offense will prove very valuable to our defensive staff.” Graham previously coached on the offensive side of the ball at Brooks High School. “Caleb has been an offensive play-caller for a long time,” Moore added, “who will provide a different perspective to our defense.”
Hill comes to Hartselle from St. Clair County. He was named the head coach for the wrestling team.
“Joe will be an assistant offensive and defensive line coach who will primarily work with the ninth-grade program,” said Moore.
Joining the basketball staff will be John Landers. He is a Hartselle alum who has spent the past six years coaching at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa.
