Former Chief Miles Keith takes over at Ider after being hired as the Hornets’ new football coach last week. A Talladega native, Keith graduated from Talladega High School in 2002 where he played football and baseball. Upon his high school graduation, Keith walked on to the football team at Jacksonville State University, where he played for Jack Crowe from 2002-2003. Keith ultimately graduated from JSU with a degree in PE/Health.
Keith has
previously served as the linebackers’ coach at Tallassee High School, and the
defensive coordinator at Crossville High School, St. Clair County High School
and North Jackson High School. Keith takes over at Ider just in time for summer
workouts. “I am so happy to be at Ider,” said Keith. “I have already been
contacted by almost everyone in the community, saying they are excited and
ready to help whenever needed. You cannot put a price on people wanting to help
the program and our kids be successful.”
Keith says
he is ready to make a move from Tallassee to Ider. “I am ready to meet the kids
and get to work ASAP,” said Keith. “I spent two years at Crossville and fell in
love with Sand Mountain and could not wait to come back.”
As to his
coaching philosophy, Keith plans to bring a mix of power and finesse to the
Ider offense. “We are going to be a down-hill running team with spread
tendencies. We are going to emphasize being in great shape and executing the
rest of the summer.”
Keith
credits his coaching style to some of his mentors. “I have had the chance to
work with some great coaches,” said Keith. “Sam Graham has had such an impact
on my life by showing me how to be a coach who loves Jesus. Miles Holcomb is
one of my best friends and has helped me so much over the years of learning the
offense. My brother Andy Keith gave me my first chance to get my feet wet at
the varsity level and showed me what a hard-working coach looked like. I have
also had the chance to work with both Mike Battles Sr. and Mike Battles Jr. They
showed me the ins and outs of being a head coach.”
In terms of
the direction of the Ider football program, Keith made his priorities clear.
“We are going to honor Jesus in everything we do,” said Keith. “I want to build
a culture where our kids are where they are supposed to be on time, doing what
they are supposed to be doing and doing it to the best of their ability. I want
to build on the foundation that Coach Tinker laid over the last 16 years.”
Miles Keith is married to the former Brittany Webb, a graduate of North Jackson High School. They have three sons; Seth, 6, Trent, 4 and Beau, 2.
