Although the college football season is officially over other than the senior bowl tomorrow, and with the Super Bowl being all that is left of the pro season, still there is much activity going on in the world of football.

Would-be seniors all across the country have declared themselves eligible for the upcoming NFL draft, and college and pro coaches are interviewing for positions vacated by others.

Outside of the fact that neither the Packers nor the Steelers have cheerleading squads, meaning there will be no pretty girls in uniform at next Sunday’s Super Bowl, the BIG news around these parts during the past few days has been the resignation of Bryant Vincent, head coach and athletic director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 5A state champion Spanish Fort Toros.

Vincent took over the young program just four years ago, and has enjoyed much success along the way.

Spanish Fort came close to winning it all in 2009, going deeper in the 5A playoffs than any other Region 1 school. In 2010, with a team full of seniors, Coach Vincent and his Toros traveled to Auburn to shut out Briarwood 14-0 for the school’s first title.

During that game, South Alabama recruit Ameroil Finley was the star of the show, scoring both TD’s for Spanish Fort.

As it turns out, the 6-1, 187-pound Finley won’t be the only Toro headed to USA. Coach Vincent is going with him.

Already on the job as of last Friday, Vincent will be taking on his first college job as tight ends coach for the Jags.

So here is the $100,000 (almost the salary and benefits at Spanish Fort) question – Who will be the Toros next coach?

What would you do if you were Spanish Fort principal Marty McRae? You have a young school, a growing, vibrant community, and the defending state championship football team.

No doubt you would search to find the best possible coach for your school. A quality person. Someone with knowledge, know how, experience, and drive.

Well, the answer could be found right here in Baldwin County.

Yes, I realize that in the very recent past, Spanish Fort and Gulf Shores have become rivals on the gridiron, and while Dolphin fans would cringe at the though of their head coach jumping the Dolphin cruise ship to coach their cross-county rivals, the fact remains that Mark Freeman would be the guy to choose.

He has tons of experience winning state championships at Bessemer Academy. He has spent two seasons with the Dolphins and is very familiar with Class 5A, Region 1.

He is upbeat, organized, friendly, driven, loves his players, and in 2010, coached a Dolphin team that many thought would not win a single game to a respectable 4-7 record.

There are quality coaches all over the state, but why bring someone from Birmingham or Huntsville when you have the best possible choice just a few miles south?

If I were Spanish Fort, I would do whatever I had to do to get Mark Freeman to come.

If I were Gulf Shores, I would do whatever I had to do to make sure he stays.

Let the games begin.

Hit ‘em straight

Dale Jones is a writer for The Islander and a member of the Alabama Press Association.

Reach him by e-mail at djones@gulfcoastnewspapers.com