6 weeks after hiring, Smiths Station’s new head football coach no longer with the program
Six weeks after Justin Albert was announced as the next head football coach at Smiths Station High School, the Panthers learned they will have a different leader of their program.
Albert posted Monday on Facebook that he had resigned from Smiths Station.
“The decision was not easy for me or my family, but I was presented with another opportunity that I feel is best for us and my career at this time,” Albert said in the post. Albert didn’t share more information about the opportunity.
WTVM reported Monday a written statement from SSHS Principal Adam Johnson saying Albert “will no longer serve as a coach at Smiths Station.” No explanation was given.
Johnson and Albert didn’t return messages from the Ledger-Enquirer before publication.
“We understand that this news may raise questions or concerns within our school community,” Johnson’s statement to WTVM said. “Rest assured that we are working diligently to identify, recruit and employ a dedicated and successful individual who will be committed to lead Smiths Station’s football program as its Head Coach. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to find the best coach available to lead our program.”
This would have been Albert’s first high school football head coaching job. He most recently was an assistant coach at Pell City, where he coached wide receivers and coordinated the passing game and recruiting. His previous assistant coaching positions were at Russell County (2020-22, assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator), Pinson Valley (2019-20, passing game and wide receivers) and Central-Phenix City (2014-19, wide receivers).
Albert was on the staff when Central and Pinson Valley won state championships. He also won two state titles as a player at Prattville, where former Central head coach Jamey DuBose led the program.
The previous SSHS head football coach was Bryant Garrison. The Panthers went 1-19 in two seasons with Garrison. They haven’t had a winning record since 2018.
AL.com reported later Monday that undisclosed sources said Albert “could be joining” the Prattville staff as wide receivers coach, pending school board approval Tuesday night.
This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
