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When Paul Thomas returned to the coaching ranks last year, he did not expect it would be a historic moment.

The Morgan Academy baseball coach is The Selma Times-Journal’s 2024 baseball coach of the year. Thomas and his son, Andrew Thomas, are the only father and son named Selma Times-Journal coach of the year and player of the year over a career. Andrew Thomas was Selma Times-Journal player of the year in 2021 and 2022.

“What an honor,” Thomas said. “I appreciate that.”

Thomas became the Senators’ coach last season, replacing Stephen Clements. All Thomas did was guide the Senators into the AISA state quarterfinals and a Top 10 ranking in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. 

“Morgan Academy’s a great school and I’m blessed to coach there,” Thomas said, “I want to help Morgan Academy baseball be the best it can be and help the players down the road in life.”

Thomas has an impressive resume as a player and coach. Thomas was a first baseman and pitcher at Selma High. Thomas played at Wallace Community College-Selma and the University of Mobile.

In the classroom, Thomas began working at the Dallas County School System in 1996 and began coaching baseball a year later. He continued to coach for 10 years with six years as head coach at both the middle school and high school. Thomas eventually became assistant principal at Dallas County High School until the Senators’ baseball position opened. 

“I always wanted to get back into coaching,” Thomas said. “Being back in coach is real refreshing for me.”