CCHS has hired Tal Morrison as its new athletic director and head football coach.

Morrison spent the past nine seasons coaching high school football, all at Benjamin Russell High School as an assistant under hall of fame Danny Horn.

He also played under another hall of fame coach in Ron Waters at Randolph County High School

“I come from people who really know football,” Morrison said. “One thing I learned from both of them [Waters and Horn] is that defense is what wins games and championships.”

Prior to that he spent time at the college level as offensive line coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College for about a year and a half and a couple of years as the director of football operations at Jacksonville State University.

“No matter what your job is, you are going to learn through trial and error, but also have insight that you can fall back on,” Morrison said. “I can call up guys that I’ve worked with and ask questions, but the big thing is to make it your own.”

Throughout his stops, his background has been primarily on the offensive side of the ball.

He wants his teams to play a hard-nosed and physical brand of football that is centered on running the ball and controlling both lines of scrimmage.

“We’re going to set up to run the football,” Morrison said. “Whether that is in spread, wishbone or double wing, it doesn’t matter.”

According to Morrison, he started looking around for the possible next step in his coaching career about three years ago.

“I was very direct on the places that I looked into, because I didn’t want to go just anywhere,” Morrison said. “I firmly believe that it was the right time for me and that God opened these doors. Now it’s up to me to do what I’m supposed to do.”

There is a lot of relationship building that goes on throughout the first year between a new head coach and his players.

“My No. 1 rule is for them to do their best, that’s what I tell them all the time,” Morrison said. “I ask for their very best in everything that they do. That goes in the classroom, to the people they interact with and on the field.”

Spring practice will start May 1 and last three weeks, with three practices each week. The orange and blue inter-squad game will be held May 19 and wrap up the spring.

“We’re looking for great things to happen here at Chilton County High School,” Morrison said.

The CCHS Gridiron Club will host a meet and greet with Morrison on April 11. It will be held at the field house and is scheduled to begin around 5 p.m.