Jefferson’s of Hoover is pleased to announce that David Carns has been named Jefferson’s Hoover Coach of the Year. Carns is a multi-sport coach, teaching lacrosse (Hoover Hawks), flag football (Berry Jags), and basketball (Spain Park Jags). Carns has been coaching for 10 years, and is also an eighth grade math teacher at Berry Middle School.
Coach Carns was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by athletes and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Coach’s Day on Oct. 6, serves to recognize one of Hoover’s many deserving coaches. Jefferson’s selected Carns as the Hoover Coach of the Year for his calm leadership and commitment to equal opportunities in sports.
“Coach Carns’ nominators spoke of his selflessness,” said General Manager Lauren Grisham. “He wants everyone, boys and girls alike, to be able to play, and he’ll do anything to make sure everyone has a chance to be on the field. He’ll provide fees, equipment, transportation—whatver it takes. We’re honored to recognize him for the many different teams he’s poured his heart into.”
Carns will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and his achievement will be commemorated with a “Jefferson’s Coach of the Year” plaque that will be displayed in the Hoover Jefferson’s.
“[One of my favorite coaching moments] comes at the end of the season,” Carns said in a statement, “when I hear players on the team saying things like ‘I wish we could keep playing,’ or ‘I don’t want this season to end,’ or ‘I’m going to miss practicing with my team.’.”
Last year was the launch of the Coach of the Year program, with Devin Patterson, track and field coach at Bumpus Middle and football coach for Hoover High, selected as the first-ever Hoover Coach of the Year.
The Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award was open to coaches of any sport working with athletes of any age. Coaches could be nominated by athletes, parents and guardians of athletes, school officials, or other community members.