Defensive coordinator Brian Nix’s Alcoa Tornadoes faced the East Nashville Eagles in the TSSAA Division I Class 3A state championship at W. Max Finley Stadium on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Alcoa won 45-14. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY JESSE SMITHEY
Alcoa High School never used the term “coach in waiting” in regards to longtime defensive coordinator Brian Nix.
But it has always been understood that he was.
Whenever the day came that Tennessee high school football coaching legend Gary Rankin stepped away from the program, Nix would be the successor.
That day officially came on Thursday, Feb. 3.
The school announced that Rankin was stepping away from head coaching duties and the baton got passed into Nix’s hands.
Nix has been at Alcoa the last 18 seasons, 16 of which were on Rankin’s staff as defensive coordinator. Nix’s defenses helped the Tornadoes win 15 championships in that 18-year span.
And over the last three years, those defenses have posted 23 shutouts in 42 games.
While Nix didn’t want today’s news to be about him — he wanted Rankin’s impact to be the focus — he still spoke with 5Star Preps about Rankin and also about his future as head coach of the Tornadoes.
Enjoy this Q&A …
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