It's Official!
Greg Goff Named New Crimson Tide Head Baseball Coach
New UA Head Baseball Coach Greg Goff
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
In a story I (and numerous other news and sports outlets) reported yesterday, Greg Goff was expected to be named the new University of Alabama head baseball coach. UA Director of Athletics Bill Battle did not let us down. Yesterday he announced the official hiring of Goff as Bama's new head baseball coach. Goff becomes the Tide's 31st head coach, coming to Tuscaloosa after two seasons leading the Louisiana Tech University baseball program.
In his announcement, Battle said, "I am very happy to announce that we have reached an agreement with Greg Goff to become our next head baseball coach at the University of Alabama. Greg is a proven winner as a head coach, with an impressive record of developing programs into championship-caliber teams. I was impressed with his knowledge of the game and the SEC, his organization and control of games and practices, and his passion to coach at the University of Alabama.
"Greg has been a winner at every stop along the way, and he has done it with class. We are very excited that Greg has accepted our offer to be our next head coach, and I am confident that he will lead our student-athletes to compete for championships while doing so with the integrity and honor that we value."
Goff is a native of beautiful Jackson, Tennessee, a place I spend a little time since I live only a few minutes from there myself in Dyersburg, Tennessee. There are some really good high school baseball programs in the area in which he grew up. He has had success at every program as a head coach, including two seasons at Louisiana Tech (2015-16), seven seasons at Campbell University (2008-14) and four seasons at Montevallo (2004-07). In his 13 combined seasons as a college head coach, Goff has posted records of 40-plus wins six times, including four in his last five years. Goff's teams have made an appearance in an NCAA Regional in two of the last three seasons.
In his statement, Goff said, "I am thankful to Athletics Director Bill Battle and The University of Alabama for the opportunity to be the head coach of the Crimson Tide. This is a great University and a great baseball program in the nation's top baseball conference, and I am truly blessed to be here today. I have continued to work hard my entire career so that I could one day coach at one of the nation's elite programs, and I could not be happier than to be a part of such a storied program. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I look forward to the challenge and am once again thankful for this opportunity. Roll Tide!"
Goff played his college ball at Jackson State Community College, where he earned his associates degree in 1991. He then spent time on the mound at Delta State, where he would eventually earn his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1994 and 1996, respectively. Goff is married to the former Tina Newbill of Jackson, Tennessee. They have four daughters: Kara, Kiley, Kolby and Kenzie.
Welcome to the Crimson Tide family, Greg, Tina, Kara, Kiley, Kolby and Kenzie! Roll Tide!
Greg Goff
UA Head Baseball Coach
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4-Star DL Ryan Johnson Likes Crimson Tide Football
Four-star Mobile, Alabama defensive lineman Ryan Johnson is working between The University of Alabama and Auburn University. He is interested in both in-state schools, and both schools are interested in him.
Johnson is projected as a defensive end by Scout, and himself is interested in playing the Jack linebacker position. He believes that looks like a possibility after a workout with Alabama linebacker's coach Tosh Lupoi, saying he thought it went well. He was also able to spend a little time with new defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and enjoyed the time. Both Bama coaches are looking for a commitment from the young man.
He says he likes Alabama's approach in dealing with him.
Johnson is expected to release a favorites list sometime this summer.
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Former UA Diver Aaron Fleshner To Olympic Trials
2017 Football Commitments For Alabama Football
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 14 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at the Capstone. As new commits are announced the list will be updated and released.
Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments to UA as of 6/18/16:
- Najee Harris, RB (6-1, 210), Antioch, California
- Alex Leatherwood, OL (6-4, 300), Pensacola, Florida
- Chadarius Townsend, ATH, (6-0, 180), Tanner, Alabama*
- Xavier McKinney, DB (6-1, 170), Roswell, Georgia
- Brian Robinson, RB (6-2, 210), Tuscaloosa, Alabama*
- Aaron Sterling, DL (6-1, 270), Stone Mountain, Georgia
- Gary Johnson, LB (6-2, 225), Dodge City (Kan.) Community College
- VanDarius Cowan, LB (6-4, 217), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB (6-1, 210), Honolulu, Hawaii
- Elliot Baker, OL (6-7, 295), City College of San Francisco (Calif.)
- Mac Jones, QB (6-2, 185), Jacksonville, Fla.
- Markail Benton, LB (6-2, 245), Phenix City, Alabama*
- Brandon Ruiz, K (5-10, 165), Gilbert, Arizona
- Tyrell Davis, LB ( 6-6, 202), Lewisville, Texas
*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments
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Former UA Diver Aaron Fleshner To Olympic Trials
Former Crimson Tide Diver Aaron Fleshner
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Former University of Alabama diver Aaron Fleshner
is in Indianapolis, Indiana this week for his third United States Olympic Trials
and a shot at competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He is competing off the 3-meter
springboard and the synchronized 3-meter springboard with University of
Miami diver Briadam Herrera. To make the U.S. Olympic squad, Fleshner
will need to finish first or second in the individual event or first
with Herrera in the synchro event.
The preliminaries and semifinals of the synchronized 3-meter event are today while the prelims and semifinals of the 3-meter
competition will be Monday. The 3-meter synchro final will be Wednesday
while the 3-meter final will be Saturday, June 25th.
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Abundant Beauty Abounds In The Waterfalls Of Alabama
Alabama Waterfalls Map
Photo Credit: EasternWaterfalls.com
The state of Alabama has no towering mountains. Yet it is known as "Land of a Thousand Waterfalls."
Yes, waterfalls. You'll find beautiful streams, rivers and waterfalls all located in the state Alabama. Many of these are neatly hidden or tucked away in some of the most beautiful wilderness areas and forests you'll find anywhere.
Little River Falls
Photo Credit: MountainTravelGuide
Little River Canyon just happens to be one of my favorite. I must admit I found it one day when I got lost. Yes, admittedly I got lost and "wandered somewhat" for a few hours and there it was. Magnificent.
This beautiful park is run by the state of Alabama, with the National Park Service calling Little River "one of the most extensive canyon and gorge systems in the eastern United States." The Alabama Environment Council has designated it one of the 10 Natural Wonders of Alabama. The cliffs can tower up to 600 feet in places, which for Alabama is quite impressive. The river itself drops 1,350 feet feet over a distance of 12 miles. The gorge, incidentally, has not one but two waterfalls, including the 45-foot Little River Falls in the Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Desoto Falls
Photo Credit: FlickRiver.com
The Little River also winds it way through the heart of Desoto State Park, located adjacent to Little River Canyon National Preserve. Ever hear of Mentone? Well, Desoto is near there and is known for its multiple waterfalls. The most famous of the waterfalls there are Desoto Falls, a 100-foot spout that drops into a gorge below and is listed as the highest waterfall in the state of Alabama. There are other falls in the Desoto area, such as Lodge Falls, a 25-footer located behind Desoto Lodge. There is also Lost Falls, which is very suitably named and most visible in the spring and winter.
Sipsy Wilderness
Photo Credit: Flickr
The Sipsey Wilderness Waterfalls are praised by the Alabama Tourism Department and is located in the Bankhead National Forest. This is a protected wilderness area in northwestern Alabama and offers a multitude of waterfalls along the Sipsey River and adjoining creeks. According to the tourism department, the Sipsey River is the state of Alabama's only National Forest Service-designated "Wild and Scenic River." Check out the impressvie Falls Creek Falls, a showering spout, as well as Feather Hook Falls, a thin trickle that drops down about 75 feet.
Noccalula Falls
Photo Credit: Knoj.com
One of the state of Alabama's most scenic waterfalls is one I have enjoyed time and time again, having been born in Gadsden, Alabama and lived in the state most of my life. I'm talking, of course, about Noccalula Falls on Lookout Mountain in Gadsden. Not only are the falls beautiful, so is the surrounding area, carefully cared-for flowers, shrubbery and trees.
Noccalula Falls isn't as high as Desoto Falls, but the 90-foot falls of Noccalula is wide and certain times of the year quite powerful. The falls are a part of Noccalula Falls Park, where you may also enjoy a pioneer village, a replica-train that you are welcomed to ride, camping and even miniature golf. There is a fee to enjoy all but the falls.
The state of Alabama offers much enjoyment for singles, couples and families. All you have to do is get out there and enjoy!
