Goodwin tapped for North team coaching staff in 66th AHSAA All-Star Football Game

Russellville High School varsity football head coach Dustin Goodwin will be coaching a whole team of all-stars later this year.

On Thursday, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA), J.T. Lawrence, announced the coaching staffs for the 66th AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game, and Goodwin was one of seven head coaches tapped to coach the North team.

“I’m honored and looking forward to it. It’s not something that I’ve had the opportunity to do up to this point in my career, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do it this year,” Goodwin said.

The Russellville head coach joins three other Golden Tiger coaches who have participated over the years. John Ritter and Mark Heaton assisted with the North team in 2021 and 2017, respectively. AHSAA Hall of Famer Perry Swindall was the head coach of the North in 2003.

This year’s North All-Star team will be led by Vestavia Hills’ Robert Evans, who picked Goodwin for his staff. Evans’ other staff selections were Hartselle’s Bert Newton, who will serve as defensive coordinator, and Brooks’ Tim Bowen as offensive coordinator; as well as Gadsden City’s Ali Smith, Hayden’s Chad Eads, and Springville’s Chris Metcalf.

“I think both coaches have put together staffs that feature some of our finest up-and-coming young head coaches,” Lawrence said in the AHSAA press release announcing the coaches. “I am looking forward to seeing just how well this coaching staffs can prepare their teams.”

The 2025 North-South All-Star Football Game, which is managed by the AHSADCA, is scheduled to be played in Mobile on Friday, December 12.