Reigning Alabama High School Football State Finalist Lands New Head Coach

Damien Dorsey named head football coach at Anniston.

Anniston's Kyree Lewis makes a catch for a two point conversion during high school football playoff action in Rainsville, Alabama November 28, 2025. (Dave Hyatt / Hyatt Media LLC) | Dave Hyatt / Special to the Gadsden Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

An Alabama high school football team that reached the state championship game this past fall has finally hired a new head coach.

Damien Dorsey will take over at Anniston High School after leading Talladega High School for the past two seasons, according to a report by East Alabama Sports Today. The hiring was approved by the Anniston Board of Education.

Dorsey will be returning home, as he is a graduate of Anniston.

“He’s a graduate of Anniston High School,” Anniston Board of Education member Rodney Fomby said. “My thing is that he’s going to be good on the field and off the field.

“When I say on the field, as far as coaching, and off the field, as far as working with the community. He’s somewhat familiar with the community.”

Damien Dorsey Graduated From Anniston, Has Head Coaching Experience

At Talladega, Dorsey helped the program snap a 28-game losing skid, going a collective 3-16 during his two-year stint.

Dorsey will be replacing Rico Jackson, who resigned following this past season after three years at the controls at Anniston. That included a run to the 2025 Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A state title game, where the Bulldogs fell to Jackson.

Anniston Finished 14-1 In 2025, Returns Handful Of Key Players

Anniston went 14-1 this past season and returns the likes of standout lineman Sharontae Bailey and Jamorris Young, who saw time at quarterback. They will be replacing quarterback Damon Pope and leading rusher Jabari Williams.

“I know this first year is probably going to be kind of rough,” Fomby said, “but I just believe that, with us supporting him on the field and off the field, the Bulldogs will rise again.”