He was underrated as a player, but he was one of the biggest reasons why the University of Alabama's defense dominated in 2011 and captured a BCS National Championship.

Nick Gentry learned a lot from Nick Saban, and now he's rising in the coaching ranks. Gentry joined Pell City High School's football coaching staff in the spring under Rush Propst. Propst decided to resign from his head coaching spot and step down, elevating Gentry to interim head coach. The Prattville (Ala.) native had the interim title removed as Marty Smith, the new athletics director for Pell City High School, announced Gentry on Thursday as the new football head coach in front of the team.

The New Athletic Director @coachmartysmith introducing The New Head Football Coach @nickbgentry to his TEAM 🔥

Let’s Make History 🥇#UATW 🌏 #GoPanthers 🐆 pic.twitter.com/aEpreCi5tf

— Pell City Football (@PellCityFTBL) June 13, 2024

Gentry is excited to mold the next generation of high school athletes with the toughness he had.

RELATED: Watch: Alabama football super fan meets Nick Saban

He was a two-time BCS National Champion in 2009 and 2011. Gentry totaled 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and four quarterback hurries in 2011 on a defense that led college football in all five major categories.

Alabama fans are pumped up to see what he becomes as a head coach.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.