Seven coaches, administrators honored as Making a Difference Award recipients
The award recognizes those who “go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher, or administrator to make a positive impact in their schools and communities.”
Olivia Bennett 
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association have officially unveiled their 2026 Making a Difference Award recipients. These seven standout coaches and administrators were selected from a pool of approximately 75 nominations, with one representative chosen from each of the AHSAA’s seven classifications.
As reported by 205focus.com, this prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who go above and beyond their standard duties to foster a positive environment within their schools and the broader community. The class of 2026 will be formally celebrated during the awards banquet at the AHSAA Summer Conference in Montgomery on July 23.
A Legacy of Leadership
AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon praised the honorees for their unwavering commitment to students. "The recipients in this 2026 Making a Difference class are excellent examples of men and women that understand and embrace the important mission of the AHSAA by dedicating themselves to serving students with positive reinforcement, kindness and compassion," Harmon stated. He emphasized that these leaders have consistently shown remarkable determination while acting as role models for their faculty, students, and neighbors.
2026 Making a Difference Award Winners
- Class 1A: Tommy Tisdale – A dedicated, longtime coach and principal at Keith High School.
- Class 2A: James “Will” Solomon – A fixture at Reeltown High School, serving as both a varsity and middle school coach for over 35 years.
- Class 3A: James “Ernie” Willingham – Recognized for his storied tenure as the all-time winningest head football coach at Collinsville High School.
- Class 4A: Matthew Geohagan – Bibb County High School’s winningest head football coach and a key administrator who also serves as a District 3 representative on the AHSAA Central Board of Control.
- Class 5A: Dr. Carolyn Russell-Walker – An award-winning principal leading the way at Ramsay IB High School.
- Class 6A: Larry Davidson – A legendary figure in the Oxford city school system for 46 years, serving as the athletic director for the past 26 years while earning acclaim as a basketball coach and mentor.
- Class 7A: Krystle Johnson – A standout math teacher and girls' basketball coach at Hoover High School, responsible for leading the Lady Bucs to eight state championships since 2017, including an active streak of six consecutive titles.
