By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Though still more than two months away, the Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce announced this week that Alabama assistant coach Joe Kines will grand marshal the city’s 21st annual Christmas parade.

The parade will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

Gardendale City Councilwoman Peggy Tumlin played a role in having Kines grand marshal the event.

“It’s really exciting to me, because my entire family supports the University of Alabama,” Tumlin said. “He [Kines] is one of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet.”

Tumlin described Kines, who is in his fourth year as assistant head coach and linebacker coach for the Crimson Tide, as dedicated to his job and well-liked by all fans.

Chamber Executive Director Joy Clayton said she expected Kines’ presence to draw a big crowd for the parade.

“This is a big opportunity for this area,” Clayton said. “Even being an Auburn fan, it’s great to have such a popular figure from the realm of Alabama athletics.”

Kines, a Jacksonville State University graduate, played football for JSU from 1964-1966 and later went on to coach the Gamecocks as a defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

He also served as a defensive coordinator at the University of Florida before his first stint with Alabama in 1985.

Kines coached linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987-1990 before becoming head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1992. He worked for Georgia and Florida State before returning to Alabama in 2003.

According to Kines’ biographical information on the university’s athletic Web site, the Tide’s defense finished the 2005 season ranked ninth in the country with Kines as defensive coordinator. In 2004, the Tide’s defense was ranked second.

In addition to the Christmas parade, the chamber is also asking area merchants who have Christmas open houses to hold them the week of the parade.

For more information about the parade, visit the chamber’s Web site at www.gardendalechamberofcommerce.com or call 631-9195.