By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

Under the lights at Lions Pride Stadium walks long-time Briarwood head coach Fred Yancey sporting his Lions’ letterman jacket, a pair of khaki pants and his traditional tennis shoes.

Each and every Friday night during the fall for the last 29 years, that sight has become normal, as the veteran head coach doesn’t intimidate you with his demeanor or attitude on the field, but instead with his brain for the game during the days leading up to Friday night.

Now, after one of the most magical coaching careers in the history of Alabama high school athletics, Yancey has decided now is the time for that special ride to come to an end after announcing his retirement at a team meeting on Monday, Nov. 26.

In life we remember those who have the biggest impacts on us.

For me, and many others across metro-Birmingham and the state of Alabama, long-time Briarwood head football coach Fred Yancey has gone above and beyond to impact our lives.

Yancey didn’t just flash his brilliance on the field, but instead showed us a personable and charismatic person at all times that any of us could relate to.

I took over the sports editor role at the Shelby County Reporter in November of 2016—just in time for Briarwood’s postseason run.

In that short four-week span, I got to know Yancey for the first time, and while I was starting to warm up to him and he was starting to get more comfortable with the new kid on the block, it wasn’t until a quote after his 15-0 quarterfinal win that I understood the kind of guy he was.

“Both teams were really rockin and sockin and there just wasn’t any bend by either team,” he said.

If you know Yancey, picturing him saying “rockin and sockin,” probably puts the same look on your face that I had on mine after that game, but that’s him.

Win or lose, he always had that same demeanor around the media after the game, and even if he wasn’t happy with his team’s performance, he already knew what to tell us in his postgame interviews, almost as if he had dissected the entire game to its core in a matter of minutes.

He used that same sentiment with his players, knowing when to push them and use his disappointment, or when to show them guidance and positivity despite a less than capable performance.

That led to him becoming one of the best coaches in this state’s history.

In his 29 years at Briarwood, Yancey led the Lions to 27 playoff berths, including the last 26 years in a row, had 11 trips to the semifinals, six trips to the state championship and three state titles (1998, 1999 and 2003). His only times missing the playoffs were in his second and third seasons (1991-1992).

To put that in perspective, the last time he didn’t take a team to the postseason, I was four months old—I’m now 26 years old.

Yancey’s overall record was 278-95, while he went 136-23 in region play, including 16 region championships, while boasting a 59-24 playoff record. He also led the team to 32 consecutive regular-season victories from 1996-1999.

If that doesn’t spell a hall of fame career, then nothing does.

While all of that success on the field has treated him well and helped him have such a lasting career, his impact on players and others that came across his path during his 29 years meant a lot more.

A coach may be defined by his success, but he is remembered by his character and the lasting impact he has on his student athletes and peers.

It is evident with former players recalling his famed halftime speeches, and coaches from across the state recalling the pleasures of competition against him, that Yancey exhibited the highest of class, and his legacy as one of the greatest to ever coach the high school game is set

From football fans across the state, thank you coach Yancey for all you did to promote this great game. We will miss you coach, and we will never forget your impact. Keep on rockin and sockin through retirement!