Parker new baseball coach, Kissinger track coach at Montgomery Academy
Brad Parker (far left) was named the new baseball head coach at MA. He replaces Stephen Vosel. (File Photo)
By TIM GAYLE
Montgomery Academy officials moved quickly to replace former baseball coach Stephen Vosel, naming assistant Brad Parker to fill the position.
Parker, formerly the head baseball coach at Catholic, served as an assistant in football and baseball at Trinity for three years before joining the Montgomery Academy staff in the same role in 2023.
“When we started this process, I saw two key opportunities to elevate our program and build on the foundation already in place, boosting our energy and enhancing our enjoyment of the game,” Montgomery Academy athletic director Wright Ward said in an e-mail to parents. “Coach Parker’s passion, desire and vision for Eagle Baseball were clear. He wants to see this program succeed and is dedicated to doing what it takes to make it happen.
“Seeing him engage with the players who attended his interview, and seeing them get excited and buy into that vision as well, on the field and off, was incredible. Coach Parker’s desire to see these players improve on the field and become even better young men off is evident. He’s passionate about energizing the program and believes that, with hard work and commitment from everyone involved, great success is within reach.”
Parker, a 2004 Catholic graduate, worked one year as a Catholic assistant and was elevated to head coach in 2012. After going 5-38 the previous two years, the Knights went 11-17 in Parker’s first year, 17-17 the second and 20-8 in 2014. After the 2016 season, he remained at Catholic but only as a football assistant.
In 2020, he went to Trinity as a baseball assistant under Ken Whittle and later under Jarrod Cook, winning a state championship in 2022. By 2023, he had moved on to Montgomery Academy, where he just completed his third year.
Parker was “humbled” to learn of the promotion, but was careful in describing his vision for the program, making sure not to detract from the work of Vosel, who recently announced his decision to leave the school and enter private business.
“Stephen’s incredible,” Parker said. “He’s one of my best friends. He did a great job.”
Montgomery Academy baseball has not made it past the second round of the state playoffs since playing for a state title in 2006. A group of well-respected coaches over the last 20 years have tried to sustain a run in the playoffs to no avail, including Russ Brooks, Casey Smith, John Gluschick, Kenny Jackson and Vosel.
“I think the standard is to be in the playoffs,” Parker said. “Finishing third or fourth in our area is unacceptable. The main thing is to be consistent and to be in the playoffs year in, year out and not just every four or five years.
“I just want to bring as much energy and excitement as I can bring. I think giving a new perspective and maybe a different way of doing the same things can go a long way.”
Parker has worked on upgrading the Eagles’ baseball schedule with more tournaments and is busy working on finding assistant coaches.
“Our kids are super hungry and super young,” he said. “Our foundation is super strong with the sophomore class and the freshmen class. Figuring out how we’re going to get that buy-in, that’s what we’ve still got to figure out but I think we’re going to get there.
“Honestly, I think it’s going to look a lot different. Stephen and I talk about the game plan, we did a lot together, but being able to make the final call on some things is going to be awesome. I’m trying to take a little more of what I’ve done in the past and try to incorporate it to rejuvenate the program. I’m trying to find some new avenues to make it more exciting. I’m super excited about it. Since the last time I was the head guy in charge, I’ve learned a lot.”
Kissinger named new MA track and field coach
Montgomery Academy officials also announced Ben Kissinger will take over as the Eagles’ track and field coach, allowing Ethan McBride and Chris Colvin to focus on their primary duties.
Kissinger will serve as a football assistant as well, two duties he has held at Alabama Christian since 2019. He favors the field portion of the track and field program, something that fits with the principles of past Montgomery Academy track coaches.
“From my first conversation with Coach, it was evident he had the passion and energy that you want out of a track and field coach,” Montgomery Academy athletic director Wright Ward said in an e-mail release to parents. “He is knowledgeable in all aspects of track and field and is also extremely well respected in the Montgomery area and throughout the state. Coach Kissinger wants to establish connections with each athlete, regardless of event, and is dedicated to making sure each athlete feels that connection, whether he or she is a distance runner, sprinter or mainly a field event participant.
“Track and field is challenging because of the wide variety of events taking place simultaneously, so keeping up with everyone presents a unique challenge that Coach Kissinger is ready for. I am excited to watch Coach Kissinger build on MA’s strong foundation and legacy of success in track and field.”
McBride has served as the outdoor track coach since the untimely passing of veteran coach Michael Floyd in January, 2021. McBride, then a coordinator on the football team, took over Floyd’s duties and served through this past season, but has since been promoted to head football coach. The addition of Kissinger allows McBride to focus on his football duties.
Colvin has served as the indoor track coach since Floyd’s death, adding those responsibilities to a resume that included his role as the Eagles’ cross country coach while also coaching those runners in distance events for both the indoor and outdoor programs. He will continue in that role.
“I am extremely grateful and excited to be the next leader of the Montgomery Academy track and field program,” Kissinger said in the e-mail release to parents. “There is a standard when you come to a place like this that has been established by those who have come before you. Coach McBride, Coach Colvin and Coach Floyd are and were mentors to and for me, long before I ever had the opportunity to be a part of this program. So to be able to follow in their footsteps and continue this legacy is not just an exciting opportunity but an incredible honor.”