"Ball at the Beach" didn't stop when the 2025 season ended, and Gulf Shores backed that up again, adding another high-level piece to one of the most experienced coaching staffs in high school football, assembled in less than a decade..

Head coach Mark Hudspeth announced that former NFL defensive lineman Michael Pierce will serve as the program's defensive tackle coach, officially rounding out the Dolphins' defensive coaching staff.

"We are excited to have Michael coaching and, especially, developing our young men," Hudspeth said on the social media announcement. "Academics are important to him — obviously, being a Tulane graduate — and he will bring a wealth of experience as a player with the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings. Our kids are excited to be coached by him and to be around him each day. What a great opportunity our kids have."

Pierce is also a Daphne alum, returning home to Baldwin County after gaining both collegiate and professional experience. The Eastern Shore native's football journey began at Tulane, where he made an immediate impact. As a true freshman in 2011, he played in all 13 games for the Green Wave, recording 15 tackles, including nine solo stops, and earning Conference USA All-Freshman honors.

He later transferred to Samford, where he played from 2013 to 2015. During his time with the Bulldogs, Pierce appeared in 34 games, tallying 20 tackles for loss and five sacks while earning multiple All-Southern Conference defensive team selections.

After going undrafted in 2016, Pierce was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and went on to build a productive NFL career. Over his professional tenure, he totaled 9.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and 238 total tackles while becoming a consistent presence on the defensive line. He spent the 2021 season with the Minnesota Vikings before returning to Baltimore to finish his career.

Now, Pierce transitions into coaching, where he will work directly with Gulf Shores' defensive front — a defense also run by longtime NFL assistant Brian VanGorder.