SYLACAUGA, Ala. -Sylacauga baseball has a new pitching coach effective today.
Jay Brooks spent the last five years managing Sylacauga High School softball, and many will say he managed it very well. In 2019, Brooks led the Lady Aggies to its first-ever area championship with a very young lineup. Now, Brooks will face a new challenge with Sylacauga High School baseball as the Aggies’ pitching coach.
Brooks, a former alumnus of SHS and member of the baseball team, is excited about the new venture. “Its great to coach a team I actually played on. That’s something I’ve wanted to do,” he said.
Brooks has a load of pitching talent on the roster to work with including Grant Walker, Andrew Schmidt, Luke Vincent and Cole Porch. Essentially everyone is back for the 2020 campaign besides last season’s left-handed ace, Tyler Thompson. “I was a college pitcher. Pitching is something I know, and It’s something I’m comfortable with, Brooks explained. “I feel like I have a lot of things I can share with these kids as they get ready to move into their college careers.”
“He [Brooks] has injected a lot of enthusiasm into the program,” said Head Coach Jeff Bell. “We know we are getting an incredible pitching coach to begin with, and with his track record that makes my job easier. He has full autonomy as far as the pitching staff goes.”
Although excited about coaching for the baseball team, Brooks will miss the softball diamond. “I feel like a part of that team, and I wish them nothing but the best.”
Chad Wilkinson, Brooks’ softball assistant, will take over the head coaching vacancy. “That program is in a good spot with Chad Wilkinson and Ashley Blocker,” Brooks said. “I know they’re going to do a great job, and keep the program in the direction it is headed.”
