Roger Pierce, known to most as Coach Pierce, has been an influential beacon in the community for years, serving as a teacher, preacher, coach, mentor and more.
Pierce, 72, began his teaching career with Cullman County Schools in 1975. After working at Cold Springs and Jones Chapel, Pierce returned to his alma mater, Good Hope High, where he taught various mathematics and social science courses. His influence on education did not stop there. He also taught at St. Bernard and Cullman Christian School later in his career.
Reflecting on the countless lives he has touched, Pierce shared, “My heart reached out to the students who didn’t do as well academically or got in trouble at school.” He discussed the importance of always trying new things to engage students because each one is different and each one needs to know he or she is cared about.
Regarding his work with various schools in the area, Pierce stated, “Cullman County is a community where people still serve God, they love children and we have great leadership with our superintendents.”
As a coach, Pierce helped establish teams in their formative years, won championships and set records. He served as a head basketball and tennis coach as well as assistant football and track and field coach. In 2013, Pierce was inducted into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame. After leading the Cullman Christian Lady Lions basketball team to the Alabama Christian Athletic Association (ACAA) State Championship, Pierce was named ACAA Coach of the Year.
When it comes to coaching, Pierce said, “A coach can be someone who helps a child have better discipline, set goals and have a work ethic to achieve those goals… it’s not all about winning.”
As he continued his teaching career, Pierce also found a passion for ministry. He has served the church in multiple roles such as youth pastor and head pastor at Good Hope Assembly of God. During his tenure as a pastor, he was able to preach the gospel, host numerous successful judgment house dramas and show the love of Christ to his students.
“One of my greatest joys in life was inviting my students to attend our services,” he said. Seeing his young people develop a relationship with the Lord was, and continues to be, the ultimate goal for Coach Pierce.
Although he is technically retired, Pierce said, “Let us work until the good Lord takes us home.”
Pierce practices what he preaches as he continues to serve as a substitute teacher and works as a part of the Kairos clergy. He emphasized the importance of his continued involvement in the school community saying, “I see a need for helping teachers and I still love kids.”
As a clergyman, Pierce works with a group of men to provide a series of talks and has private conferences with men who are incarcerated at the St. Clair Correctional Facility. He said that while they are not advocating for their release from prison, they hope to help these men find the freedom from sin in their soul that only the Lord can provide. “It is a dark place,” he said, “but I believe God’s light shines in the darkness.”
Outside of working, Pierce’s favorite hobbies in retirement are spending time with family, attending church and watching his grandchildren participate in the activities they love. The main thing he wants people to know is “I’m a work of grace – glory to God!”
A final piece of advice Pierce had to offer: “Don’t give up if you are a young teacher. There will be obstacles that you have to overcome, but you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.”
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