The official announcement of James Moody’s return to Demopolis High School simultaneously completes the Tigers’ coaching staff for 2009.

“We’re one short of where we were last year numbers wise,” DHS head football coach and athletic director Tom Causey said. “But we don’t have the teaching slots we had last year.”

While Causey’s staff lost two coaches from 2008 and officially added only one, the third-year DHS head man is excited about the makeup of the 2009 group.

Returning as the offensive backs coach will be Joey Browder.

“Coach Browder is the best running backs coach I’ve ever work with,” Causey said of the staff’s longest-tenured member.

Joining Browder on the offensive side of the ball will be Kyle Williams, who shifts from wide receivers to quarterbacks this season.

“He’s high energy. He’s a youthful guy who’s excited to do what we ask him to do,” Causey said of Williams, who often served as scout team quarterback last season. “I think he’ll be a great compliment to our young quarterbacks next year.”

Moody’s return to Demopolis will see him fill the receivers coach spot vacated by Williams.

“He’s coached receivers here in the past,” Causey said of Moody. “The last two years he coached it at Trinity. He has state championship experience. Coach brings in a lot of character.”

Rounding out the staff on the offensive side of the ball is the new offensive line coach, Causey. During his first two seasons in Demopolis, Causey coached quarterbacks. In 2009, he will fill the void created when 2008 offensive line coach Jeremy Sullivan accepted the head coaching job at Citronelle High School.

“We were lucky to have Jeremy,” Causey said. “His philosophy and coaching experience were a lot like mine.”

Causey believes that fact will help his offensive linemen more easily make the transition from one coach to another. The move also gives Causey the opportunity to get back to his coaching roots.

“It’s new for me and I’m excited about it,” Causey said of handling a position he has not overseen since cutting his teeth in coaching. “It’s the opportunity for me to get back to what I know is the backbone of football.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Ben Ramer and Leroy Harris will return in the backfield. Causey believes the pair is a perfect fit for the secondary. Ramer, a coach regarded for his methodical and cerebral approach to the game, holds the responsibility of coaching the safeties. Meanwhile Harris, who is more known for his energetic demeanor, is charged with the task of coaching the cornerbacks.

“I think their personalities and their coaching styles are awesome together,” Causey said. “I think those two guys’ personalities fit the positions they coach very well.”

Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Rudy Griffin also returns for his second season with the team.

“I see a lot more confidence in Coach Griffin,” Causey said. “He’s really taken a real big hold on the defense. He expects nothing but the best from (the linebackers). I’m excited about what he’s got in store for the season.”

Rounding out the coaching staff will be volunteer assistant Webb Tutt, who lends his services and expertise to the defensive line.

“We’re really fortunate to have Coach Tutt,” Causey said. “He’s a guy who has a boat load of experience at the high school and collegiate levels. He’s really excited about the prospect of coaching again.”

While Causey is satisfied with the individual parts that make up his staff, he also expressed his excitement concerning his expectations of the collective whole.

“I’m excited about when we all get in the building together and get it going,” Causey said.