To say that Bradley Stephens is excited about being named Straughn’s new head basketball is an understatement.

Technically, his contract begins Aug. 8. But the work begins today. Asked after Tuesday’s county board of education meeting when he intended to meet with his team, he said, “Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow?

“Hey. We gotta get going,” he said.

Stephens most recently has served as head softball coach at Enterprise High School. Prior to that, he coached for four years at Pleasant Home, where his responsibilities included serving as head softball coach, where he guided the Lady Eagles to three state tournament appearances, finishing fourth in 2011, second in 2012 and third in 2013.

He has also coached varsity boys basketball, junior high girls basketball, varsity baseball, junior high football, and assistant varsity football during his career at Pleasant Home.

“I’m very excited that I have the opportunity to be able to coach at a school like Straughn,” he said. “Really excited.”

Stephens also will serve as physical education teacher at Straughn Elementary.

“Covington County is definitely home,” Stephens said. “I’ve been commuting back and forth. It’s a great place to live, and I’m glad to be able to come back to work here.”

Stephens said he is looking forward to meeting the team.

“I’m a little out of the loop, but I’ve been told I’ll have a good nucleus to work with,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting with them.”

Stephens is a graduate of North Alabama in Florence where he earned his bachelor of science in physical education in 2008. He and his wife, Jessie, have one child, Clara Frances.