SPANISH FORT, Alabama—Brent Boyd was named Tuesday to take over the Spanish Fort High Toros baseball program by SFHS principal Marty McRae. An assistant under former and program-founding head coach Tommy Walker for the last year, Boyd was an all-around top pick and a favorite with the players and community, McRae said.

"Coach (Mark) Freeman (SFHS Athletic Director) and I met with coach Boyd this morning and he has accepted the position as our new head baseball coach," he said. "Coach Boyd was an assistant coach last year under coach Walker. Coach Boyd has built a relationship with our players. His knowledge of the game and devotion to the team and our

community as a whole made him the perfect choice for Spanish Fort High School. We are very confident he will continue to lead our baseball program in a positive direction."

Boyd said the thrill of getting the job was emotional and

overpowering, but the best part was the feelings of acceptance from what he called the Spanish Fort family.

"It just means so much to me, my wife, our family," he said. "We love Spanish Fort so much and I just appreciate Mr. McRae and coach Freeman and coach Walker so much for their support and the whole community. It's really, really, humbling. It's like getting to know and be

accepted by a big loving family and we're so happy to get to stay and be — well keep being — part of it, the Spanish Fort community. But also I know Spanish Fort takes its baseball to heart and so do I. It's an honor to be trusted with so much. So, I know I have a lot of work to do. Standards are high at Spanish Fort and I wouldn't have it any other way. But we're blessed with great kids and athletes and we're all just excited. My wife and my daughter were so excited and happy when I told them.

They love Spanish Fort and loved coming to all the games this past year. It's been a great day."

Walker established the Toros program in 2005 then brought

three-straight state championship trophies back to The Hill since 2010. He announced his decision to take the Vestavia Hills head-coaching job earlier this summer and said Tuesday that he was pleased with McRae's choice.

"Great choice. I know the program is in good hands with Brent," he said. "He has all the baseball knowledge needed and more. Knows the game and knows how to teach it. But what I'm most happy about is how he connects with the players. The kids respond to him so well on all levels. He and (pitching coach) Carlton (Paris) both are great with

the kids and work well together. Both are outstanding young coaches and they really work at it. I didn't know Brent personally until last year. I knew who he was and that he was a really good player at Alabama. But had not met him. We just clicked on a personal and professional level and it led to a great working relationship. He not

only works hard, he works smart. And I think great things are in store for Spanish Fort and the team."

Boyd, 32, and his wife Whitney have three young children, Audrey, Colton and Townsend. The Fort Worth, Texas native was a four-year starter at the University of Alabama from 1999-2002. He worked two years as a graduate assistant under Crimson Tide head coach Jim Wells and then worked in the restaurant business before deciding to get back into the game.

"I just missed baseball so much," he said. "So when I knew I was going to be in the area— down here — last year, I picked up the phone and gave Tommy a call. He invited me down and as soon as I stepped in the door we hit it off and the relationship just took off. I just have so much

respect for him as a coach, but also got to respect him as a leader and a teacher. He's also a very intelligent student of the game and like any good student, he's always hungry for knowledge. I think that appealed to me because I played for a coach like that at Alabama, coach Wells. But of course he (Walker) had a great rapport with the

kids. It's just a special feeling to get to follow him and I just want to build on what's already been accomplished.”

Boyd will also teach English at Spanish Fort.