When Chris Heaps was hired nine years ago, nobody knew exactly what to expect from Russellville High School's new varsity baseball coach.
For 15 years, Heaps served as assistant baseball coach at Hartselle, working with Alabama's most successful high school coach, William Booth. Heaps was part of a program that won three state championships, so the winning pedigree was there.
But Heaps was limited on experience as a head coach, having coached one year at Central-Phenix City before coming to Russellville. It was a successful year, though, as his team went 31-16 en route to the Class 6A semifinals.
With more than 80 applicants, then-Superintendent Rex Mayfield and the Russellville City Board of Education saw something they liked in the young coach. So they placed him in charge of a program hungry for success.
Mayfield recalled Heaps' interview and how he had a plan for the program that went beyond just wins on the diamond.
“His attitude really impressed me. He laid out a plan that was more than just baseball. It incorporated character and other things good for our community, our school and our baseball team,” Mayfield said. “He went really deep in his first year at Phenix City and that impressed us as well.”
Nine years and four state 5A championships later, the man who hired Heaps admits this level of success was beyond anyone's expectations.
“It's been fun to watch his teams, his demeanor and how he has handled the success of the program,” Mayfield said. “He's done a great job. I don't think anyone in our community expected we'd be where this program is now. It's been exciting to watch.”
As he read a resolution honoring the 2021 RHS baseball team on another 5A state title, Russellville Mayor David Grissom borrowed one of Heaps' coaching adages: Uncommon effort yields uncommon results.
Just saying it doesn't mean anything—a coach's players must buy into the idea or it's just clever coach speak. And the Golden Tiger players have bought in.
And many have taken their games to the next level. Most years are a question not of if any Golden Tigers will sign scholarships, but how many will receive one.
For a school known for its football success, Russellville High School's baseball team has carved out its own identity and can accurately be described as a dynasty.
Dynasty? Really? Nick Saban has led the Alabama Crimson Tide to six national championships in 15 seasons, and most folks agree his program is in the midst of a dynasty.
Heaps has led his Golden Tiger teams to state titles in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2021. Four championships in nine years (and that includes the canceled 2020 season). Dynasty seems fitting.
Coaches never like to compare one championship team to another. Each has its unique personalities and strengths. But this year, Heaps was able to celebrate the championship blue map with his sons, Brayden and Casen, sophomores on this year's team.
You might not realize Heaps is also a talented singer who can croon a George Strait hit with the best of 'em. It's just a pastime, though. Don't expect him to start winning Grammy awards.
But more 5A baseball titles? That's a lot more likely...
