Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Buddy Anderson in a game between Vestavia Hills and Thompson on Friday, September 30, 2016, at Larry Simmons Stadium in Alabaster, Alabama.
There was beauty in his annoyed expression, but the question had to be asked.
Vestavia Hills High School head football coach Buddy Anderson had already answered questions about the 18-yard field goal that give his Rebels a 17-14 win in double overtime against Mountain Brook on Oct. 7. He had already lauded his defense’s superb effort. He was smiling.
But when it came time to answer the question about his 324th career win, one more than former University of Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, making Anderson the winningest coach at any level of football in the state, that grin straightened.
“That doesn’t make any difference,” Anderson said. “These kids are what make the difference.”
And with that, Anderson was on to thinking about rival Hoover the following week. His players sang his praises instead after the win. Running back Toliver Chatwood said that it was an amazing accomplishment. Offensive lineman Patrick Nuss, who blocked a Mountain Brook field goal attempt in the game, said the feat was great. It seemed to sink in for Nuss as he spoke.
“I mean, I’m playing for the winningest coach in all of Alabama football, so I mean, that’s pretty fun to say right there,” Nuss said.
"He's such a good coach because he understands all aspects of the game and makes sure his players do as well," quarterback Coleman Petway said. "Coach Anderson teaches his players the right things to do on and off the field. And for Coach Anderson to reach 324 wins is an amazing accomplishment, to be able to say you have more wins than Bear Bryant, one of the most historic college coaches of all time, is truly amazing."
Anderson’s staying power and numbers are incredible. He has been the head coach at Vestavia Hills since 1978. Since that time, he has won 70 percent of his games and 16 region or area titles. The 324 wins in Anderson’s 39 seasons break down to 8.3 wins per season.
Under Anderson, Vestavia Hills has notched 15 seasons of 10-plus wins. Keep in mind, high school regular seasons are only 10 games. His teams have made it to the playoffs and fared well.
Of 38 completed seasons as head coach, his Vestavia Hills teams have made the state playoffs 30 times, a state record. His playoff record as a head coach is 47-28. The other seven head coaches that comprise Class 7A, Region 3 have combined for 48 playoff wins at their current schools.
Oak Mountain head coach Cris Bell has matched up against Anderson’s Rebels three times as the leader of the Eagles. Oak Mountain came out on top 14-7 in 2014 and 34-7 earlier this season. Vestavia Hills won 35-26 in 2015.
“Coach Anderson is simply a great football coach,” Bell said. “His passion for the game and young people is what has allowed him to have the success he’s enjoyed. I’m proud to call him a friend.”
Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager has faced Anderson’s teams 12 times in his 11 seasons as the Spartans’ leader. The Spartans are 5-7 in those games, seven of which have been decided by a touchdown or less.
“From getting to know Coach Anderson through the years I’ve discovered that he is a very purpose-, principle- and conviction-driven man,” Yeager said. “I believe football is not a profession to him, but a calling. He has invested a generation using this game to teach and change lives. Win, lose or draw, I’ve never coached in a game across the field from Coach Anderson that I didn’t learn something and walk away a little better coach. Like so many people, my life has been enriched because of my relationship with him.”
