SPANISH FORT – Two Spanish Fort coaches were recognized by their peers as Baldwin County coaches of the year earlier this month.

Bryant Vincent was named varsity football coach of the year and Chris Schmidt was named cross country coach of the year. Vincent’s Toros finished with an 11-2 record and a trip to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs. Spanish Fort’s 9-1 regular season was a school best, and round three is deeper than any Toro team before.

“It is an honor to receive this award, especially with all the great football coaches in this county,” Vincent said. “I have a lot of respect for the coaches in this county. A lot of the credit needs to go to the players who bought into our system and philosophy, and also to my assistant coaches, who do a great job daily. My principal, Mrs. Spondike, has been very supportive in helping me build the program also.”

Vincent credited his senior class as an instrumental part of Spanish Fort’s success this season. Spanish Fort played all of its home games at the home stadiums of other Baldwin County teams.

“This football team had a lot of drive to be successful and brought that attitude to work everyday throughout the year,” Vincent said. “I really enjoyed coaching them and being a part of their lives. I couldn’t be more proud of a group that faced adversity daily but never made excuses. This was truly a special group.”

Spanish Fort’s boys cross country team finished third and its girls team finished fifth overall in the Class 5A state meet in November.

“Our success at Spanish Fort this year came from the leadership of our seniors, the support of the school and most of all the community involvement that we have with our running program,” Schmidt said. “I have parents, ex-high school runners, college runners, administrators and other individuals throughout the community who come out and condition or train with us. I am very fortunate to have this kind of environment because it shows my runners that there is much more to running than being just a high school or college sport. Running is a life style.”

Schmidt was happy to be given the award, but noted that other coaches in the county had done well, too.

“We in Baldwin County have a great group of cross country coaches who really love the sport,” he said. “Honestly, I think that every one of these coaches should be recognized for their coaching ability and the sacrifices that come with coaching.”