By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

HOOVER — Chip Lindsey, Troy University quarterbacks coach, has been approved as the new head football coach at Spain Park.

Lindsey was approved tonight at a Hoover City Schools board meeting.

Lindsey, who previously spent time coaching in the school system as the offensive coordinator at Hoover High School under Rush Propst, said he’s excited to be back in Hoover. The Bucs finished 10-2 on the season and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs in 2007 with Linsdey as the team’s offensive coordinator.

“I’m excited to be here in this great school system,” said Lindsey in an address to the board. “It’s a special place.”

Lindsey’s contract includes an annual teaching salary plus a coaching supplement of $47,741. The contract also includes a camp allowance of $15,000 to be administered in accordance with local school policies and procedures.

Lindsey will also receive a vehicle from a local automotive dealer provided the vehicle be permissible in accordance with appropriate reporting regulations. The board will also provide Lindsey with a cellular phone, or simlar device.

Before going to Troy, Lindsey had a 10-year career in coaching high school football. He was the head coach at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga. from 2008-09. While there, he led Lassiter to a perfect season of 10-0 and the school’s first ever region championship.

Lindsey served as the Lassiter head coach under first-year Spain Park principal Chris Shaw.

The team advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history and finished the year at 12-1.

Lindsey was named the Marietta Daily Journal Cobb County Coach of the Year, Cobb County Touchdown Club Coach of the Year and Atlanta Falcons Class AAAAA Coach of the Year.

Lindsey, who has four children under the age of 6, said the move from college coaching back to high school coaching will allow him to spend more time with his family. Lindsey is married to the former Cecily Pharr of Sheffield and together they have four children: Claire, Caroline, Cooper and Conner.

“This move allows me to be a better father and husband and a better role model for our players,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey will wrap up his coaching career at Troy on Dec. 18 by leading the Trojan offense against Ohio University in the New Orleans Bowl. The bowl game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Following the bowl game, Lindsey said he will focus solely on his new role.

“I’ve got a little unfinished business left at Troy,” Lindsey said, “but I’m ready to get started.”

Spain Park athletic director Clay Osburne said Lindsey’s resume stood out above the rest of the 80 candidates who applied for the position.

“He’s very innovative,” Osburne said. “He’s a man of character and a man of relationships.”

Shaw said he is happy to be reunited with Lindsey.

“Chip is the perfect fit for the Spain Park community,” Shaw said.  “His knowledge of football, character and motivation of student-athletes are hard to find in this day and age.”

Hoover Superintendent Andy Craig said he was pleased with the hire after the board approved Lindsey as the Jaguars’ next head coach.

“Anytime when we have vacancies, I’m always impressed with the quality of candidates that apply,” Craig said.

Lindsey replaces interim coach Ben Berguson, who took over the program three days before the start of the 2010 season after David Shores was placed on an administrative leave following a physical altercation with a player. Shores’ coaching contract was terminated by the board in October.

Berguson led the Jaguars to a 6-6 record and the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A playoffs.

Lindsey becomes the fifth head coach in the history of the Spain Park football program.