Obadiah Threadgill, shown in this file photo from 2020 as the LaFayette High School coach, was announced as the new head basketball coach at Sparkman on Monday, June 24. 2024. (Vasha Hunt | preps@al.com)Vasha Hunt
Sparkman High School has filled both of its varsity basketball coaching vacancies as well as its girls’ soccer head coaching position, according to new releases from the school.
Obadiah Threadgill IV will be the new boys’ basketball head coach and Emily Flanigan is the new girls’ basketball coach. The Senators have also hired Randy Lilavois as the girls’ soccer coach.
Threadgill comes to the school in Harvest from Pike Road, where he coached for three years after leading LaFayette to a state championship in 2015 and a runner-up finish in 2013. His 2020 Pike Road squad finished 31-1 with a final four appearance.
“I am passionate about high school athletics and deeply committed to the success of all students,” Threadgill said in the release. “I look forward to building deep, lasting relationships with the community and its stakeholders. I am eager to get started and help our athletes reach their full potential on and off the court.”
Threadgill has been a head coach for 14 of his 20 years as a basketball coach.
Sparkman principal Todd Dreifort said in the release, “We are excited to welcome coach Threadgill to Sparkman High School. His extensive experience and dedication to high school basketball make him an excellent fit for our program. We believe his leadership will inspire our students and elevate our basketball team to new heights.”
Threadgill is replacing Jamie Coggins, who announced his retirement on June 18, after 12 seasons as head coach.
Foley coach Emily Flanigan coaches her players during an AHSAA Class 7A semifinal game at BJCC's Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023. (Vasha Hunt | preps@al.com)
Flanigan comes to Sparkman from Foley High, where she took over as head coach in 2020 and led the Lions to the final four in 2023. She coached Foley to three area championships and back-to-back Elite Eight berths.
“Her track record of success, dedication to her players and commitment to excellence make her the perfect fit for our basketball program,” Sparkman athletic director Chris Shumaker said in the release. “We are excited to see her lead our girls to new heights.”
In the release, Flanigan said, “I am honored to join Sparkman High School and look forward to building on the strong foundation of the girls’ basketball program. I am passionate about mentoring young athletes and helping them achieve their full potential on and off the court.”
Flanigan’s Foley team finished 18-8 in 2024 and won the Class 7A, Area 2 title and was second in the regional tournament. She replaces Jarvis Wilson, who left in May to become the head coach at Ramsay. He led Sparkman to three area championships and a Class 7A state runner-up finish in 2023.
Lilavois comes to Sparkman from the NOW Soccer Academy in Madison and was head coach at Hazel Green for five seasons for both the boys’ and girls’ programs. Before that, he coached at Grissom High in Huntsville.
“Joining the Sparkman family is a fantastic opportunity,” Lilavois said in the release. “I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of the soccer programs and helping our athletes achieve their goals.”
Lilavois and his family moved to the Huntsville area in 2012 from his native California, where he was a coach in high school, club soccer and in junior college.
Sparkman won the 7A girls’ state championship in 2023 under Samuel Tidmore.
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