Andrew Zow has a new job.
Zow, the former Alabama quarterback who spent the last three seasons at Calera, has been hired as the new football coach at Bessemer City.
“Our students deserve the very best,” Bessemer City Schools Superintendent Keith Stewart said in a news release about the hire. “I have a lot of respect for the hard work, dedication and professionalism Andrew Zow has displayed throughout his career.”
Immediate efforts to reach Zow failed.
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Zow replaced Derone Fagan, who led a 7-5 record and a second-round playoff berth last year before being fired earlier this spring when it was discovered that the team went through illegal practices. The AHSAA placed Bessemer City’s football program on probation.
Zow has served as a head coach in Alabama for the last seven seasons — four at Montevallo and three at Calera. He enjoyed three straight playoff berths with a 9-3 season in his final season at Montevallo in 2015 and seasons of 8-4 and 7-5 at Calera in 2016 and 2017. All three playoff appearances ended in the second round.
Zow becomes Bessemer City’s fourth head coach in the last four seasons, but the Purple Tigers have a streak of six straight playoff berths.
Last year at Calera, the Eagles moved up from 5A to 6A and finished 1-9. He has a career head coaching record of 27-49 in Alabama.
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Zow was named the Class 4A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after Montevallo’s 9-3 record in 2014, as the Bulldogs enjoyed their first winning season since 2006 and first nine-win campaign since 1998.
Zow threw for 5,983 yards and 35 touchdowns in four seasons at Alabama from 1998-2001.
This post will be updated.