By Scott Nickerson

Elmore/Autauga News

The last time Josh Crawford was on a field was as a Graduate Assistant Coach…at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, as Utah faced off against Penn St in January 2023. Crawford served as a Graduate Assistant Running Backs Coach in 2022 for the Utah Utes team that won the Pac-12 championship and played in one of the most iconic college football bowl games. Crawford had experience at running back, as he was an All-State performer at Edgewood Academy a decade earlier and earned a scholarship to Vanderbilt University in the Southeastern Conference.

When the positions of Head Boy’s Basketball Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the football team opened, Crawford made the decision to return to his roots. “What made me want to return to Edgewood is that it’s home. When Mrs. Barner called me with the opportunity to come back, I jumped at it. The 3 years I spent at Edgewood helped me to become the player and coach I am today and I’m thankful. Family is important to me and was another key factor in my decision to come back. I’m back home closer to all of my family while also getting the opportunity to recreate a special time in Edgewood’s history. I’m ready to begin pouring into the kids like my coaches and teachers poured into me.”

As a student athlete at Edgewood Academy, Crawford was a standout running back for the Wildcats. From 2012-2014, Edgewood went 41-0 and won the AISA State Championship all three seasons. Crawford earned AISA All-State and All Metro honors all three years. He was named All Metro by the Montgomery Advertiser twice. He was also named AISA Back of the Year as a Senior and was the AISA West All-Star Most Valuable Player.

It wasn’t the championship victories or another win that was the most memorable to Crawford, but another, much more personal, moment. “The memory that sticks out is Senior Year, getting to wear #10, shoutout to Zack Taylor for letting me wear his jersey that game, in honor of my late best friend Demarrio Harris. I was overwhelmed with emotions that entire game. My Aunt had passed just 2 weeks prior and I played outside of myself. Those emotions fueled me the rest of the season, which ultimately ended in another championship that was our 5th one in a row and 3rd one for me. I can tell they were both with me for sure and still are today.”

Returning to Edgewood as a coach will obviously be a different mindset for Crawford, but after his playing days, the former Wildcat has learned under some impressive coaches. He worked with his legendary former Edgewood Coach, Bobby Carr, when Carr was at Autauga Academy. He earned a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration as a Graduate Assistant at Tennessee State, and was a Graduate Assistant at Utah for the 2022 season when the Utes won the Pac-12 Championship.

The experience at Utah left a big impact on Crawford. “First, I want to thank the University of Utah for allowing me to be a part of something special. It was truly life changing getting the opportunity to be around such great kids and top tier coaching staff. They welcomed my wife and I with open arms and I’m forever grateful for that.”

The experience getting to coach in the Rose Bowl left an equally big impact. “Winning the PAC 12 and getting to play in the Grandaddy of them All was a once in a lifetime experience. As an ardent football fan from the South, winning a conference championship and getting to go to the Rose Bowl was a dream come true and a memory I’ll cherish forever.”

Now, Crawford will look to make memories as a coach at Edgewood. In the fall, he will be the Offensive Coordinator for the football team. After, Crawford will lead the Edgewood boys’ basketball team.

Crawford is excited about the possibilities for both sports. As the offensive coordinator of the football team, he plans on taking what is given and scoring lots of points. As the basketball coach, he has several returning players. “We have a big group of seniors back along with a few underclassmen that contributed to the championship run last season. It’s always good having guys that have been through it coming back. We will be training this summer and are planning to play in a couple of play dates later in June. Our goal for the year is to build off of the momentum from last season and try to run the table again. Anything other than trying to win a championship again would be selling ourselves short.”

Good luck to Coach Crawford at Edgewood as he seeks to make more memories at his alma mater and bring home more championships!