The move was board approved on Monday morning.

After a 14-year coaching career at Midfield High School, Darrell Barber made what was both a tough decision and a no-brainer. He is the new head boys basketball coach at Pinson Valley.

“The [Midfield] community has been good to me. The superintendent, the principal, they’ve made everything as easy as possible so it’s always tough,” said Barber. “I’ve coached and taught brothers and sisters and cousins and that made it kind of tough.”

This move brings with it a three-classification jump for Barber, who won a total of three boys state championships with the Patriots in nine years on the bench. The first of those titles came in 2012 in the Class 4A ranks. He later worked through the Class 3A bracket, earning blue maps in 2014 and 2017.

He also spent five years coaching the girls game, winning three state championships with the Pats.

Coaching in Class 6A is a challenge he’s always wanted to accept.

“I’m a very competitive guy. I look forward to challenges every day of my life to make me better,” said Barber. “An opportunity came to become a coach in a higher classification and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Also, I’ve always played teams in the higher classifications.”

Second-ranked Midfield traveled to Mike Dutton Gymnasium on Jan. 29 and beat the Class 6A Indians, 96-92. The Patriots also notched wins over 6A opponents such as Parker, Center Point, McAdory and Shades Valley. They beat Class 5A No. 2 Woodlawn 84-81 last November.

At Pinson Valley, Barber believes he can continue his winning ways.

“I had to look at the best fit for me. I looked at Pinson Valley and what they had returning with some of those guys and what Patrick Nix is doing over there and just a thriving community, so it was a no-brainer at the end of the day,” said Barber. “Pinson Valley was a job that attracted me early on for those reasons I mentioned.”

There was no time to waste when he arrived on campus. He is holding tryouts this week for the 2018-19 basketball season.

“I’m committed to Pinson Valley High School. The guys that showed up at tryouts yesterday and the guys that are going to be there today and throughout the summer, those are the guys that we’re going with,” said Barber. “We’re going to get the job done with whoever is still here and I look forward to seeing everyone.”

Barber replaces Cedric Lane, who coached the Tribe for two seasons.

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