BAKER — Edwin Lowery has returned home.
Not only is the former Baker School quarterback back in coaching, he’s also coaching at his alma mater, where he led the Gators to state championships in 1983 and 1984.
Lowery went from Baker to Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn. At Carson Newman, he was a part of three national championship teams for the Eagles, who were competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
'GOT BAKER ON THE MAP'
Baker head Coach Matt Brunson, who was a sophomore on the Gators' 1984 team, welcomes his former teammate to the staff.
“ I think it’s great for the kids to have a guy that played here and played on multiple state championship teams and multiple national championships on the college level,” he said. “They like Coach Lowery, and Coach Lowery is proud to be a Gator. He has a lot of pride in this place and its history.
“Edwin was one of the guys that got Baker on the map. We ran the triple option, and he was a great quarterback.’’
REUNITING IS 'AWESOME'
Lowery, who spent several years as an assistant coach under Brunson at Crestview High School, is glad to reunite with his longtime friend.
“It’s really awesome,” Lowery said. “Him and I know each other from back in the day. It’s just a welcome feeling to be with him again.
It’s a great feeling to be back here after sitting down with Coach Brunson and asking him if he needed help so I could come back and support the Gators some more.”
KEY TO SUCCESS
Brunson said Lowery will help coach the running backs and defensive backs.
“He’s got a lot of knowledge and he’s been around me,” Brunson said. “He knows how I am going to try and do things. He understands the scheme, although they are very simple.
“It’s great to have a guy that has his experience that has been there before. But all of our guys do a good job.”
Lowery remembers Brunson as a no-nonsense player who always put the team first. “He's a great team person,” Lowery said. “And when the coach needed somebody to step up, he didn’t back down a bit.”
Having been a part of five championship teams, Lowery has learned a simple key to success that he will pass along to the Gators.
“It’s having a nonstop attitude and not giving up,” he said. “When you are working, stay focused in the classroom and on the field.
"It carries over into the home life and being obedient to their parents, too.”
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker great Lowery returns home to coach