Fullington named Rebels' new golf coach

Vestavia Hills High School did not have to go far to find its new boys golf coach.

Kent Fullington, a Vestavia native, has assisted with several of the Rebel athletic programs, including the boys basketball and girls softball teams last school year. Entering his second year as a full-time physical education teacher at the school, he’s excited the take ownership of the golf team.

“I’m really blessed and just grateful for this opportunity to represent such a fine and prestigious school,” he said.

Athletic director Jeff Segars said in a statement, "Kent is a fantastic young coach who is full of energy and can continue the success that Coach (Ernie) Essig has had with our golf program," Segars said.

Fullington’s emphasis for the way he plans to run the program is to ensure that each and every thing has a purpose.

“We’re not going to do anything drastically different, but everything we do is all going to have a purpose,” he said.

The team’s motto will be, ‘Every swing matters. Every shot counts.’

The Rebel golf program has produced the likes of Smylie Kaufman, now on the PGA Tour. Fullington called Kaufman the “perfect person you want representing your school.”

The current talent at Vestavia is not bad either, as Austin Coggin returns as a sophomore, after winning individual honors at the state tournament in the spring. Christopher Hughes and Jacob Awbrey are two others that should have strong seasons next spring.

Fullington is a graduate of Oak Mountain High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Montevallo.

He said, “I’m ready to hit the ground and start running.”