May 16—HATTON — Hatton football has found its new head coach in former Alabama wide receiver Nikita Stover, the school announced via Facebook on Thursday.
Stover led Decatur Heritage for three seasons before stepping down and accepting the head coaching position at Hayden in November 2024. However, wanting to be closer to his family, Stover resigned from Hayden and accepted the job at Hatton.
" I think this is a diamond in the rough," Stover said. "Coach (Denton) Bowling has done an amazing job putting the program on the map and I want to continue to do that."
Bowling led Hatton for the past nine years, coaching the Hornets to consecutive seven-win seasons and four straight playoff appearances despite Hatton's two-classification jump in 2023. Bowling finishes with a 47-47 career record, third on Hatton football's all-time win list.
"We were looking for someone with experience and who will continue the success that coach Bowling has had in his years here," said athletic director Chassidy Carroll. "The football program has a strong foundation and has established a tremendous work ethic."
Stover, a 2008 University of Alabama Graduate and Hartselle Alumnus, said he was originally approached about the job by members of the Hatton community.
" A couple of parents reached out to me and asked me if I would be interested. Then a couple of guys from the booster club reached out and asked me the same," he said. "I told them yeah, went and looked at it and I liked everything that I saw."
Stover came to the school on Thursday morning and spoke to 63 potential athletes about the football program, Carroll said.
" I just want to meet them and kind of set some expectations as far as our standard and things I expect," Stover said. "I expect them to hold themselves accountable. Dedicate yourself to your brother because you're about…
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Publish date : 2025-05-16 12:36:00
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