Tuscaloosa Academy Hires Former Bessemer Academy Coach

Dennis Victory of AL.com reported Thursday that Tuscaloosa Academy will be hiring Josh Wright, the former Bessemer Academy coach, to lead the Knights’ football team going forward.

During his time at Bessemer Academy, Wright accumulated a 131-37 overall record which equated to a 78% winning percentage.

While Bessemer Academy was Wright’s first head coaching job, he still coached the Knights to 12 playoff appearances in 13 years.

Bessemer Academy, a regional rival for T.A. in AISA AAA Region 2, won four state titles out of the eight that the Rebels qualified for and eight region titles during his tenure, which accumulated a 75.8% winning percentage in the playoffs.

Wright, a native of Pickens County has always been eyeing the T.A. job.

"I've been living in Tuscaloosa for the last 15 years and making the commute to Bessemer. I took that [Bessemer Academy] job before I got married and had kids," Wright said.

"I live five minutes from Tuscaloosa Academy, and my daughter was probably going to go there anyway. Tuscaloosa Academy has always been a very attractive job for me."

Speaking of family, Coach Wright is eager to create an even stronger sense of community around the program.

"I just really want to build a good family atmosphere."

As for football schematics, Knights fans will be excited to hear that Wright likes to spread the offensive love.

"It all really depends on the personnel, but I love to spread the ball around. I try to keep it 60-40 run-to-pass, but it has been reversed some years. I try to keep the offense balanced."

Wright is eager to start at the program and is excited about what he has to work with.

"They have a lot of good players. I think 17 starters are returning, and the players have been working their tails off," Wright said.

"The talent is there. We might be missing a few pieces, but we're not too far off. We have a good senior class with good leadership."

What T.A. fans should walk away from the coach's introduction is the coach's goal for the upcoming season.

"We have a tough schedule, but we really want success early... We want to be consistent and competitive."

Wright will become the fourth T.A. Head Coach in four years and will inherit a Tuscaloosa in Academy that ended the 2020 season 3-7.