Former Alabama QB returns to state as Demopolis coach

Former Alabama and Fayette County quarterback Lance Tucker is returning to his home state as a high school football coach.

Tucker was approved Monday night as the new head football coach at Demopolis. He replaces Brian Seymore, who was approved as the new head coach at Greenville but later announced he was not taking that position after all.

Tucker was approved unanimously, according to Demopolis City superintendent Tony Willis.

“I have always looked at Demopolis as one of the top communities, schools, football programs in the state,” Tucker told AL.com Monday night. “Who wouldn’t want to take that job? It’s super exciting for me and my family. I know that.”

He grew up playing for his dad, legendary coach Waldon Tucker, at Fayette County High. He led the Tigers to 54 wins and still ranks among the state’s all-time leaders in completions (586), attempts (1,202), passing touchdowns (63) and career passing yards (8,173) among other categories.

Tucker eventually followed his father’s first tenure at Fayette County as head coach. (Waldon Tucker returned to coach for two seasons in 2020 and 2021). Lance Tucker coached the Tigers for eight years, winning 76 games and leading the team to three state championship games. He was also head coach at Sipsey Valley in 2010.

He left the state in 2019 to become head coach at Bartlett, Tenn. A year ago, he brought his Panthers down to play 7A power Hoover, losing 56-7 in the second week of the season. Bartlett finished 11-3 last fall, however, losing 50-39 to Beech (Hendersonville) 50-39 in the playoffs.

“The state of Alabama is home,” Tucker said. “The people of Bartlett and the state of Tennessee were super good to me and my family. They are great people. God put them in my path at a perfect time in my life, and I hope I represented them to the best of my ability when I was there. That said, it’s nice to be back in Alabama. I’ve already received several texts from coaches across the state and look forward to seeing those guys soon.”

Tucker said he didn’t know exactly when he will start at Demopolis, but he plans to meet his team for the first time Tuesday morning.

“I can’t wait to get there and lay my eyes on kids and introduce myself to them and go from there,” he said.

Tucker takes over a team that won 10 games a year ago and 56 in six years under Seymore. Demopolis hasn’t missed the playoffs since 1995, winning state titles in 2004 and 2009.