Gardendale head football coach Matt Plunkett is heading back home.

After five seasons with the Rockets, Plunkett has accepted the head coaching position at Cullman High School. He compiled a 37-22 record at Gardendale from 2013 to 2017, and led the Rockets to four straight playoff appearances following his opening season.

“It’s been fun. We worked really hard here and these kids did a fantastic job, but I’ve got some deep, deep roots in Cullman County,” said Plunkett. “That’s where I was raised. I have always viewed myself being in Cullman one day later in my career. I honestly didn’t know it would be this early.”

Plunkett expects to be board approved Friday morning.

“I’m taking a jump a little bit because I really wanted to be the winningest coach in the history of Gardendale football. I felt three good seasons away from that,” said Plunkett, an Arab High School alum. 

This decision was somewhat influenced by the uncertainty surrounding Gardendale City Schools.

“My daughters were the deciding factor because getting them in a solid school system is fantastic,” he said. “I know there is just a lot of political things going on here with Gardendale and Jefferson County right now and I was just a little unsure about where that was going to lead.”

Pending board approval, Plunkett will replace longtime Bearcat head coach Mark Britton, who led the program from 2001 to 2017. 

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.