Wallace State Community College has hired Faron Key to serve as the head coach of the men’s basketball team, President Dr. Vicki Karolewics announced this week. 

“We are excited to welcome Coach Key back to Wallace State and trust he will continue the tradition of excellence for which the Lions are known, a tradition that is part of his own personal history with the college.” 

A native of Cullman County, Key played basketball for the Lions from 1995-97. As an area high school coach, he has coached players during tournaments held at Traditions Bank Arena inside Tom Drake Coliseum. 

Key comes to Wallace State after serving as the head coach of the Hartselle varsity boys basketball team, where he’s coached for almost 10 years. Before coaching the Tigers, he was the varsity boys coach at Arab (2004-2014) and the junior varsity coach at Moody (2003-04). 

“I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunity from Dr. Karolewics and Athletic Director Paul Bailey, who are putting their trust in me,” Key said. “I’m excited because I played there and went to school there. I wanted to get back not just to Wallace State but to the community I grew up in. To come back and continue the winning tradition at Wallace State is a challenge I don’t take lightly. I will bring great energy, effort and enthusiasm to work every day — and will recruit players who do the same.” 

Key takes over a team that won its fourth National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) South District/Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) title and made its fourth NJCAA Division I national tournament appearance last season, advancing to the Sweet 16. 

Key has 299 career victories, including 174 at Hartselle — the most wins in program history. He led the Tigers to Area 14 titles from 2019-2021 and was selected Class 6A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in 2020 following a trip to the Elite Eight.

Key has a master’s degree from Jacksonville State and a bachelor’s degree from Athens State.