FLORENCE — Florence High School is looking for a new football coach.

Alvin Briggs, who just completed his fifth year as coach of the Falcons, is stepping down as coach to become the new director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

He told his team at a Monday morning meeting. Briggs will start his new job Nov. 14.

Briggs said he had been contemplating the move since current director Steve Bailey announced in June that he would retire Dec. 1. He said he made the decision to accept the job within the past two weeks after consulting with several people.

There was no official announcement on when the search for Briggs’ replacement would begin. Messages left with Florence High principal Lynne Hice and city schools superintendent Janet Womack were not returned Monday.

In Montgomery, home of the AHSAA and AHSADCA, officials said they were happy to have Briggs in the fold.

“We are extremely pleased to have a person of Coach Briggs’ caliber with a coaching and administrative background,” AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese said in a news release. “He will be a tremendous asset to the AHSAA and the Coaches Association. Coach Briggs is well known and respected throughout the state.

Because of his involvement with the AHSAA over the years, his learning curve will be minimal. He will have an opportunity to work with Coach Bailey and ensure a seamless transition.”

Briggs said it was a tough decision to leave the Falcons.

“Really and truly, the opportunity at the AHSAA is a direct reflection of what Florence City Schools and the Florence community have done for me,” he said. “This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will cherish my time in Florence. It has become my home and I hope to do them proud.”

Briggs said the opportunity to become a part of the “AHSAA family” was an “honor.”

“I’m humbled that Coach Savarese and everyone there have accepted me,” he said. “It has meant a lot to be a high school coach in Alabama and to serve so many wonderful student-athletes. To serve with and get to know so many coaches in our state has been such an honor.”

Briggs said he is looking forward to the new job. “When we were talking about the job I told them that I’m going to be me,” he said. “I can’t sit behind a desk all day.”

Briggs, 47, took over the Florence program in 2007 after Joe Hollis did not have his contract renewed.

Among Briggs’ duties with the AHSADCA will be to direct All-Star Sports Week, coordinate the Champions Challenge and preside over the All-Star Game coaching selections.

Florence was the second head coaching job for Briggs, who spent four years at Greenville. His overall record in nine seasons is 52-44.

At Florence, he was 34-19, including this season’s 7-3 mark. The Falcons made two playoff appearances in five years, but missed out this season in a tiebreaker situation.

Florence won his final game, 35-18, over Russellville. The Falcons also handed Muscle Shoals its only loss this season.

Briggs also spent several years on Bobby Wallace’s staff at the University of North Alabama where he was an assistant coach and a part of the three consecutive national championships.

Alvin Briggs' head coaching career