In 2004, when Chris Foster graduated from Brookwood High School, unbeknownst to him he'd be returning to his alma mater two decades later — this time as head football coach.

In January, Foster was officially welcomed back to the Brookwood community when he was announced as the 33rd head coach in program history. Foster replaces former coach Mike Bramblett at the helm of the Panthers program.

"Our search for a new head football coach began on Nov. 6," Brookwood principal Kellie Hubbard said at the time of the hiring of Foster. "With well over 100 applicants, finding the next leader of our football program was a process that I took very seriously. ... With a proven track record and passion for the game, coach Foster will bring a fresh perspective of high expectations and accountability. I have no doubt that he is ready to lead out program."

Playing, coaching experience

During his high school career at Brookwood, Foster played under coaches Kermit Jones and Jack Cook, manning the offensive line and defensive line for the Panthers football team. He also played outfield on the baseball team.

After his graduation, Foster attended the University of Alabama, graduating with a degree in management of information systems. Foster spent about four years in that career field before going back to school at Troy University to get his teaching degree.

"I felt like I could make an impact on young kids lives and wanted to pursue that career route," Foster told The Tuscaloosa News.

So, he did.

Foster began his teaching and coaching career at Aliceville before spending a year coaching at Samson Middle School. He returned to Brookwood for four seasons, serving as offensive coordinator, before making his head coaching debut at Priceville in 2019.

There, Foster produced a 40-18 record along with three straight playoff appearances and a region championship in 2022. Most recently, the Bulldogs are coming off a 5-7 record in Class 4A, Region 8, and made it to the second round of the state playoffs.

"Leaving Priceville was a very tough decision," Foster said. "But ultimately, I felt like the right leadership and the right things were in place at Brookwood to come and try to make it as successful of a program as it can be."

2024 SCHEDULES: High school football schedules for the 2024 season for the Tuscaloosa area

BROOKWOOD FOOTBALL: Brookwood announces Chris Foster as new head football coach

'A homecoming of sorts'

The last time Foster coached a game at Brookwood, his son Rhett, now 7 years old, was just 1.

Foster's wife, Misty, is also a native of Brookwood. The two met and have been dating since their high school years — when Chris was a senior and Misty a junior. After high school, the two soon married and now have son Rhett and daughter Harper, who is 4.

"Our first date actually right after a homecoming game that I played in," Foster said. "Being together for that long and having special memories at (Brookwood), it's a great thing for both of us."

Despite Foster serving as offensive coordinator at Brookwood prior to his time at Priceville, things look very different around the Brookwood campus, with the Panthers unveiling their brand-new football stadium last season., including a turf field and new field house.

"When I went back and coached at Brookwood the first time, it was like walking into a time capsule," Foster said. "It was the same field house; it had hardly changed much. Coming back now as the head coach, everything has changed. Brand new facilities, brand new weight room, completely different coaching staff. It's been a big adjustment, and I'm really thankful for the administration surrounding me with coaches who are eager to develop and be a part of the program."

Goals for the program

Foster looks to turn a Brookwood program that has not had a winning season since 1999 nor made the playoffs since 2011. Most recently, the Panthers are coming off a 1-9 season in 2023 that saw them finish at the bottom of Class 6A, Region 4.

For Foster, turning around the Panthers program begins with accountability and consistency, both things he is looking to implement during his tenure.

"I believe the program can go to a higher level than what it's been at," he said. "I think it's going to take someone who's willing to keep people held to a standard and also someone to be consistent with it. The program has had a decent amount of turnover in the last eight, nine years, so it's really important for there to be some consistency there in order for it to turn around."

Something else Foster looks to implement at Brookwood is the slogan "Find A Way," bringing it with him from Priceville.

"For football players and our community, I've always felt like it's really easy to make excuses on why things should or shouldn't work, and our program is not going to be about excuses," Foster said in January. "We're going to be about finding a way, and 'Find A Way' is the slogan I like to use; and we need your help, we are going to need to find a way together."

Foster and the Panthers get the 2024 season underway on Aug. 23, hosting Jasper at Billy Joe Young Field.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Chris Foster returns to Brookwood as head football coach