Getting to know MBHS new AD Benny Eaves

Benny Eaves was named the athletic director for Mountain Brook Schools in November, succeeding the long-serving Terry Cooper, who retired in October.

“I feel so incredibly blessed to fill this position,” Eaves said. “It has been a whirlwind of activity the first few days and will continue to be so for a few more weeks. I am working hard to get around to meeting everyone I can on a personal basis. If I haven’t met you yet, give me a little while. I’m sure you’re on my list!”

Eaves, 45, is a native of Florence, Ala. He received his undergraduate degree in education from the University of North Alabama (1990) and graduate degree from Auburn University (‘92).

Eaves is entering his 22nd year in physical education and athletics. His past experiences include seven years (‘92-’99) at Marion Military Institute, seven years (‘99-’07) in the Hoover High School system, and the last eight years (‘06-present) at Mountain Brook High School. During those years, he has coached football, basketball, baseball and golf, filling roles from head coach to assistant in every sport at all levels.

Currently he serves as Physical Education department head, head varsity boys/JV boys golf coach, head freshman boys basketball coach and varsity basketball assistant.

His family includes wife, Tonia, a human resource consultant working for Sourcepointe; son, Taylor, a junior at University of North Alabama; and daughter, Ragan, a freshman at Troy University.

What made you consider becoming athletics director?

When contemplating the future path of my career, it was a logical decision considering my background and love of all sports. I was a three-sport coach for almost 20 years, and my love of coaching was very similar to my love as a three-sport athlete. Whatever sport was in season, that was my favorite. Three-sport coaches are a dying breed in the higher classifications due to the time requirements for in-season and off-season activities. 

I wanted to stay involved in all sports and help programs to improve or maintain a level of excellence. I felt the best way to do that would be in an athletic director’s position. It is invigorating now to know that I can be of service to all sports, male and female, high school and junior high, throughout the remainder of my career. I look forward to working with all our coaches, community and administrations to continue to grow our athletic programs as the future presents new opportunities for improvement or change. 

I will miss the scheming and planning it takes to be a successful coach, but more than anything I know I will miss the personal interaction that goes on between coach and player. I have been very fortunate to develop long-lasting relationships with most of my former players.

 You currently have coaching responsibilities. Will you continue to coach?

In addition to the athletic director’s duties, I will continue to fulfill my teaching and coaching obligations through the holiday break. It’s a plan in progress after the break. We have a plan to meet and discuss what is our best option going forward at that point. It is unlikely that I will be able to continue to coach after this school year. 

My first duty is to serve the athletic department as a whole, which would not allow me to be fully invested as a coach of a team. The players would not get my best and that would be unacceptable to me. 

The school now has 150 state championships, the most of any school in Alabama. Terry Cooper has set a very high standard. First, is that a daunting act to follow, and secondly, what have you learned from him about being an AD?

Terry Cooper is the standard. This is a position that he pioneered in the high school ranks. He is the epitome of class and integrity. Terry Cooper’s legacy will forever be intertwined with Mountain Brook’s athletic programs. The experiences and relationships he has shared and developed over almost four decades cannot be replaced. 

We have a great relationship, and I know that he will help me in any way he can. My job will to be the best “me” I can be. He and I have talked about the future of athletics and how I should think and embrace new ideas that could help take our programs to another level. The biggest thing Terry stressed to me was developing relationships with the coaches and community and to establish open lines of communications with everyone. 

What is it about Mountain Brook — the system and the community — that makes it special?

From a system standpoint, I believe it’s the commitment to excellence and the practice of treating the teachers and coaches as professionals. In allowing teachers/coaches to “own” their respective environments, ownership is developed in the system’s successes. It’s exciting to work in a system that is constantly working to improve and stay on the leading edge of positive changes. 

As for the community, it’s the people, the community spirit. The support is unparalleled. The community’s commitment to the schools, both academically and athletically, makes this place very special. 

While there is a great respect for athletics and what it can provide the student-athlete, student body, and the community, the fact that academics is primary does not waver. So, to put it in perspective, we have a highly competitive academic setting that puts education at the forefront but somehow still competes athletically at the highest level. We have record numbers of National Merit Scholars. We have earned 150 state championships, the most of any school in Alabama. Put those two together, and you have something very rare and extremely special. 

What kinds of goals do you have?

My goal is to continue to enhance and strengthen our bonds between and among all our coaches, athletes, teams and the community. I will have some personal goals, but my main focus will be, after meeting with the different programs to gauge their needs, goals and aspirations, to help them in any way I can to achieve their goals. I look forward to becoming very active within NIAAA and hope to serve as a leader in my field.