When Durrell Fuqua was named varsity football coach at Pleasant Grove High School last month, the Spartans landed someone who knows a lot about winning.
Fuqua was introduced February 11th at Pleasant Grove, his first opportunity as a varsity head football coach. Fuqua follows Darrell LeBeaux, whose Spartan teams went 75-16 in his seven years at Pleasant Grove, so the cupboard Fuqua inherits is far from bare. And Fuqua should fit right in taking over a winning program, something he's well familiar with.
The 2003 Russellville High School graduate has always been part of winning football programs, starting with his Golden Tiger career, where Russellville went 50-8 from 2000-2003, reaching the semifinals twice and the 5A championship game twice under Coach Perry Swindall. Fuqua was a two-way starter for the Golden Tigers, both as a running back and defensive back.
As a three-year football letterman at the University of Alabama Birmingham, Fuqua was named to the Conference USA All-Freshmen Team in 2004, after a redshirt year. In his three years as a Blazer, Fuqua appeared in 33 games and had 82 total tackles.
After earning his degree from UAB in Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2008, Fuqua joined Swindall's coaching staff at LaFayette High School in Georgia. His next coaching spot was former Golden Tiger head coach Michael Jackson's Buckhorn High School program.
Fuqua returned to Georgia to complete his teaching certification and coached at Cherokee High School in Canton, Ga, before joining Alabama 7A power Thompson High School, his first of two stints with the Warriors, wrapped around a teaching/coaching stop at Hoover High School, another 7A perennial title contender.
Fuqua taught driver's education and served as Recruiting Coordinator at Hoover and Thompson. He was the liaison between the schools and the many NCAA football programs recruiting their athletes.
Fuqua and his wife Ashley, who he met when both worked at Hoover High School, have two children, Harris Roux, 5, and McKinley, 1.
It was no coincidence that Fuqua has surrounded himself with winning football coaches and programs every step of the way through his playing and coaching career. And each of those coaches have contributed to the husband, father, teacher and coach Fuqua has become.
“It's a long list of coaches who have been influential in my career, starting with Coach Swindall,” Fuqua said. “I've carried what he instilled in me as a player, and then in my first coaching job under him. He was and is one of the best things to ever happen to me in my career. He's a Hall of Fame coach. From the small things to the big things, how he ran his program and what he did for his players, I've learned so much and he remains a mentor.
Swindall said he and Fuqua spoke regularly throughout the process of his applying and interviewing for the job.
“I'm very proud of Durrell. He's a great person, a super role model for kids, a proven winner and a hard worker. His resume definitely supports his being given a chance to prove his worth as a head coach and a program leader,” Swindall said. “I know he'll use all the positive things he's learned along the way to make a real difference for the kids at Pleasant Grove.”
Fuqua named some additional mentors who have helped him since his coaching career began.
"Josh Niblett (former Hoover coach) remains a mentor as well. The way he organized and ran a powerhouse program was so impressive. We still talk regularly. (Former Russellville) Coach Bill Smith who now coaches at Donoho, and Mark Freeman (Thompson). There are so many mentors and I've seen all the different things they've done in their programs and I've tried to put a mixture of all of it together and make it my own,” Fuqua added.
Fuqua also coached with current Russellville varsity football coach Dustin Goodwin at Thompson.
“We talked the week I got the job and we have a really good relationship. He's another important resource and a friend,” Fuqua said.
“Durrell and I have gotten pretty close during our time working together. I'm extremely happy for him and his wife Ashley. I know he'll do things the right way and have a positive influence on everyone around him,” Goodwin said.
Fuqua's first move at Pleasant Grove was to set up a meeting with his players.
“That was the most important thing to do when I got in the building—to get in front of these kids and let them know everything I do and every decision I'll make will be made for them,” Fuqua said. “They're the priority. It had been more than a month without them having a coach so there was some uncertainty. Some of the kids were a little antsy, so the first priority was to let them know I've got their backs.”
Fuqua said there are between 65-70 players in his varsity football program, and that's a blessing for a 4A school. He hopes to add to that number after meeting with students in the coming weeks.
The Pleasant Grove coaching staff currently contains five coaches and Fuqua will be filling at least three coaching spots plus some volunteer positions in the coming weeks.
Fuqua is settling in nicely into his first role as a head coach, which ironically, wasn't an opportunity he was seeking.
“I had a couple people reach out and ask me if I was interested (in Pleasant Grove). The more I thought about it, the more I had this voice in my head I knew was God telling me it was time,” Fuqua said. “I've been a component of other programs, now it's an opportunity to run my own program. My administrative role as recruiting coordinator helped me prepare for dealing with kids, parents and colleges. I had opportunities at some big places and that helped prepare me as well. As far as the Xs and Os, I've been doing that since I was four years old playing football on the rug at my grandmother's house.
“This program isn't just about me. The guys already on this staff and those we'll bring in will also be a big part. It's an all hands on deck mentality for sure,” he added.
And Fuqua won't gauge that success strictly by wins and losses—not with what he's learned from his coaching mentors.
“Success on the field is a big part of why you coach. You've got to win games or you won't have a job for long. But my definition of success is when these kids go and do successful things in their lives—whether that is being a great husband or father, doing a job well, developing a leadership role in their jobs.
“One of the biggest joys I get from coaching has nothing to do with football. It's when former players call me and say 'hey coach, she said YES,' or 'we're having a little girl!' Or when they call and we have conversations about what it means to be a father. It tells me I've done something right for these kids when they reach out and ask me these questions or just call me to share milestones in their lives,” he added.
Just like when a former player calls his high school coach and coaching mentors to tell them about his first opportunity as a head coach at Pleasant Grove High School.
“All those cell phone numbers will remain in my phone. They're great mentors to listen to and run things by and I'm blessed to be able to reach out to them,” Fuqua said.
