From Staff Reports

ALABASTER – Kingwood Christian School announced on Monday, May 22, that Philip Todd Bradford will join the organization and serve as athletic director and head varsity football coach.

Bradford will be responsible for overseeing the organization and operations of all Kingwood athletics, with a focus on offering students the guidance and tools they need to succeed on the field while thriving in a Christ-centered environment.

“We have an opportunity to take Kingwood Athletics to the next level by reaching more students with a quality program that helps young people develop their skills and leadership abilities,” Bradford said. “My philosophy is to focus not only on winning games, but also on serving as a role model who helps students grow in character and academic achievement. I want all our students to know I genuinely care for them, and I am committed to providing the best environment and experience possible.”

Bradford joins Kingwood from St. James School, a leading private school in Montgomery where he served as assistant varsity football coach and assistant track and field coach. His areas of focus included the school’s strength and conditioning program as well as the development of wide receivers, defensive line players and special teams. Bradford also trained directly under the school’s athletic director, gaining valuable experience in planning budgets, scheduling events and performing administrative functions that are crucial to supporting a strong athletic program.

His previous experience includes serving as head varsity football coach for Lowndes Academy in Lowndesboro and as assistant baseball coach at Wallace Community College.

Bradford holds a degree in sports management from Auburn University at Montgomery. He is also pursuing a master’s degree in physical education from AUM.

A graduate of Morgan Academy in Selma, Bradford was part of four straight 3A state championship football teams in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The team achieved a 50-2 record in those four seasons. In addition to lettering in football, Bradford lettered in basketball, baseball and track. He was a wide receiver at Auburn University as an invited walk-on in 2001 and 2002 and later played for Delta State University in Mississippi.

“Todd Bradford joining KCS is the result of a team approach to finding the best coach and athletic director to move our school forward,” said Benny Cunningham, educational pastor at Kingwood Christian School. “Our board of directors, Principal Ruth Gray and I have been impressed by Todd’s character and experience. And we are particularly excited that a coach who has served at such a highly regarded school as St. James is now bringing his experience to work for Kingwood’s students and families. Our athletic program, across all sports, will benefit from his leadership and commitment.”

“Coach Bradford has our full support as he brings his vision and experience to Kingwood Christian School,” added Principal Ruth Gray. “I am impressed by his credentials and am excited about what God has in store for us. We are looking forward to the new school year and the positive impact Todd will bring to our athletic program.”

Bradford and his wife, Lauren, a pharmacist, have three young daughters. The Bradford family will be relocating to the area soon as they prepare for the 2017-18 athletic school year.

“From the moment we first met him, it was clear Todd had a passion for connecting with students and helping them excel,” said Marcus Kittrell, president of the KCS Board of Directors. “We have tremendous student-athletes who have a lifetime of opportunities ahead of them. Todd’s leadership can help our students – and our entire athletic program – reach their full potential.”