Mary G. Montgomery announces new football coach in wake of AHSAA sanctions

Mary G. Montgomery has officially named its next head football coach. Defensive coordinator Alex Page, who stepped in to lead the team on an interim basis earlier this spring, has been promoted to the full-time head coaching position.

A New Chapter in Semmes

Page assumes the role following the departure of Zach Golson. Golson was placed on administrative leave by the school on May 5 before the Alabama High School Athletic Association handed down a one-year suspension and placed the football program on probation for alleged recruiting violations.

The transition is one Page is ready to tackle head-on. After being named interim coach, he guided the Vikings through their spring game against Ocean Springs, Miss. Principal David Diaz offered him the permanent job this week, and Page is wasting no time getting back to work.

"We are going to move this thing forward," Page told 205focus.com. "It’s exciting. I’m just thankful for the opportunity and trying to make the most of it. We are getting into our summer workouts. Fortunately, all the coaches are staying on board with me, so we’ve been planning and scheduling out the summer and getting everything ready."

Building on a Proven Foundation

Page is no stranger to the program's success. Over the past four seasons serving as defensive coordinator under Golson, the pair helped the Vikings secure 37 wins, four playoff berths, and two Class 7A, Region 1 titles. A former standout at Prattville High School and a two-time All-Sun Belt player at the University of South Alabama, Page brings a wealth of experience from his coaching stints at McGill-Toolen and Spanish Fort.

"We learned from one of the best to ever do it, Bill Clark, as well as other great coaches," Page said. "We took that model and folded it and adapted it to our guys in Semmes. We are changing up a few things, but we are keeping the main things the main things."

Navigating AHSAA Sanctions

While Page prepares for the upcoming season, the program continues to navigate the fallout from the AHSAA’s May 18 ruling. The sanctions include a postseason ban for 2026 and permanent ineligibility for students found in violation of recruiting rules. Page previously indicated on WNSP-FM that up to 20 players could be impacted by the ruling.

Though the Vikings are set to open their 10-game regular season on August 21 against Class 6A runner-up Saraland, their status for postseason play remains up in the air. The AHSAA Central Board of Control is scheduled to meet again on July 29.

"We are just following the ruling, how they laid it out and making sure we are in compliance," Page said. "We are focused on what we can do. We are hopeful we get a chance at things like the playoffs, but we know we have games we can play and we are going to get our guys as ready to play as we can."

Support from the Previous Staff

In a social media statement, former head coach Zach Golson praised his successor, noting, "Coach Page has been my right-hand man from day one. I knew I was getting a great person and a great coach, but if you know him, you are not surprised that he far exceeded even my expectations."

According to Mobile County Public Schools, Golson has been placed on mandatory transfer. Meanwhile, school officials expressed confidence in their new leader, stating that Page’s passion for developing student-athletes and dedication to the program make him the ideal choice to guide Viking football into the future.