The Miles College football team will soon be led by a former University of Alabama star with gridiron roots in North Alabama.

Town Creek native Chris Goode was named head coach of the Golden Bears, the school announced.

“Chris Goode’s leadership and dedication to student development makes him the ideal choice to guide our football program forward,” said Miles President Bobbie Knight. “We are excited to see how his guidance and vision will propel our student-athletes to continued success both on the field and in the classroom.”

Last season, Miles went 10-3, winning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs while finishing the season nationally ranked for the first time.

Goode, a graduate of Hazlewood High School, played for the Tide in the mid-1980s and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1987, where he played for seven years. He finished his career with seven interceptions, six fumble recoveries, two sacks and a touchdown in 96 regular season contests (66 starts).

Additionally, Goode was a defensive coordinator for the Birmingham Steeldogs of the Arena Football League and founded a post-graduate academy for student-athletes. He has also served as the president of the National Football League Player Association (NFLPA) Birmingham Chapter.

“We are excited for the future of Miles College football under the direction of Coach Chris Goode and are confident that Coach Goode’s leadership will bring continued success to Miles College football,” said Fred Watson, Miles’ Director of Athletics.

Goode was formally introduced at a press conference on Tuesday at the Williams Welcome and Admissions Center on the Miles campus.

He is succeeding former Tide star and NFLer Sam Shade, who was recently hired as head coach at Alabama A&M.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten.