A state championship-winning head football coach is leaving his position for a job with the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA).
According to an announcement by AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon, Lee-Scott Academy athletic director and head football coach Barry “Buster” Daniel is stepping down to serve as AHSAA assistant director with his chief responsibility as the newly created director of private schools.
Harmon received approval from the AHSAA Central Board of Control to create the position after the association announced in December that independent schools would compete in separate championship divisions beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Under the new format, public schools will compete in six classifications, while independent schools will be divided into two classifications: A and AA.
“Buster Daniel will be joining our staff on June 22, 2026, in the role of Assistant Director,” said Harmon. “Coach Daniel brings with him a wealth of coaching experience and relationships throughout the state in the coaching community.”
He added, “He grew up in the AHSAA as a student-athlete and later as coach, and he has spent the last six years coaching at Lee-Scott Academy, one of our member independent schools. He understands the challenges moving forward and is just the right person to move us forward as we embrace the exciting changes that reclassification provide.”
Daniel has spent more than three decades as an educator and coach. He attended Southern Union Community College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University-Montgomery in 1993. He completed his Master of Science degree in 2008 at Troy University, Fort Benning (Ga.), per the AHSAA.
“I’m extremely honored to accept the position of Assistant Director for the Alabama High School Athletic Association,” Daniel said. “I have been associated with the AHSAA for over 35 years, most of those as a high school coach. The history of the association speaks for itself, with honor and integrity, and I am grateful for the chance to be a part of such an institution.”
“I am leaving Lee-Scott Academy after six great years there as a head coach. I made many new friends and coached a lot of fine young men during my time there,” he continued. “Although it is hard leaving, I’m excited for the new opportunity with the association, working closely with a great staff for the betterment of the schools throughout the state. God always has a plan, and this is his new plan for me.”
Daniel guided Lee-Scott Academy, located in Auburn, through its transition from the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) to the AHSAA during his tenure. His final two AISA teams finished 12-0 and 11-1, while the Warriors posted records of 5-5 and 9-3 in their first two seasons in the AHSAA. Daniel compiled a 47-19 record over five seasons, making him the second-winningest football coach in Lee-Scott history. He led the Warriors to a state championship in 2022.
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