Story By Heath Hambrick
The DeKalb County School System and Ider High School have relieved Ider head softball coach David Hughes of his coaching duties effective immediately. Ider principal Tyler Brooks confirmed on Monday.
On Monday, October 6th, Coach Hughes was one of 16 individuals arrested at a residence in Fyffe and charged with unlawful possession of Marijuana in the second degree.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant, and Hughes and the other individuals were located at the residence participating in illegal gambling activities (a card game). Within the main gambling area, marijuana, cigarettes, baggies of marijuana, and methamphetamine pipes were located.
The case against Hughes has been dismissed, according to the office of DeKalb County Circuit Clerk Todd Greeson.
Hughes has been an educator and coach for more than 30 years in DeKalb County. Hughes was one of the longest tenured softball coaches in the state of Alabama, taking over the Ider softball program in 1998, coaching one year of slow pitch before moving the program to fast pitch in 1999.
During his time leading the Lady Hornets, Hughes compiled a record of 968-454-10, making him the sixth-winningest coach in state history.
Hughes led Ider to State Championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009. The Lady Hornets were state runner-up in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2016.
Ider captured eight DeKalb County Tournament Championships, Nine Area tournament Championships, and made the state tournament a total of 14 times.
Hughes was named Coach of the Year four times: 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2015.
DeKalb County Superintendent Wayne Lyles and Ider principal Tyler Brooks were unavailable for any further comment at this time.
Ider has tapped Mitch Mitchell to lead the program his season. Mitchell, a Plainview graduate, teaches Math at Ider High School and has coached junior varsity basketball at Plainview in the past and is currently an Ider girls basketball assistant. Mitchell's daughter is a freshman on the softball team. Mitchell is also a long-time coach of travel softball.
“It's an unfortunate situation to have to step into. Coach Hughes has significantly improved this program, shaping it into what it is today. I’m familiar with the team having coached some of them in travel ball,’’ said Mitchell.
The Lady Hornets were last season's DeKalb County runners-up, area regular season champions, tournament champions, North regional runners-ups, and finished fifth in the state tournament with a record of 36 wins, 16 losses, and 1 tie.
Hughes was not available for comment, and it is currently unknown whether Hughes will continue teaching in the DeKalb County Schools System.
