ALBANY — Darren Alford spent the past 18 years investing his time and wisdom into all the young athletes that came his way throughout the Sumter County School system.

Americus means the world to him, but he’s turning the page and moving on while Chris Wade is in a way coming back.

The two coaches attended spring practice, summer workouts and all that’s left before they become an official member of the Monroe football coaching staff is signing a contract.

They are reuniting with Monroe head coach Charles Truitt as the three spent four seasons together with the Panthers, winning two state championships under Erik Soliday in 2000-01.

Alford will be the running backs coach and the coordinator for the rush offense, special teams and strength and conditioning program. Wade will be the offensive coordinator and in charge of the passing offense.

“They’re a big plus for our program,” said Truitt, who is 35-31 in six seasons at Monroe. “Both coaches are known winners, and everywhere they’ve been, they have been successful coaches. We’re fortunate enough and blessed to have them join our staff. I think those guys will give our program a boost in order to take it to another level.”

Both Alford and Wade were passed up for the Americus-Sumter head football job in the spring when Michael Pollock was hired to replace Mark Wilson. It was Alford’s second time to be passed over for the head job of the Panthers. He was recommended to be Dooly County’s next head coach in the spring, but chose not to go after the board had a split decision. Alford, however, is excited for a new start.

“I think it’s a great opportunity, and they are great kids down there,” said Alford. “They like the offense we’ll be running, and it’s what I want to do. I don’t want to be just a figure head. I can’t wait to be a part of what’s going on.”

Alford spent the past four seasons as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator and running backs coach. He in served in several capacities in the school system, and Americus will always have a special place in his heart.

“I had 18 years in Americus. It’s where I learned football,” he said. “I love Americus, and this is my home. I have a lot invested in those kids, and people don’t understand the time I have invested. I wish things had turned out differently, but the Lord has a plan for me and my family, and I’m not going to question him.

“It’s a hard thing to talk about because I have strong feelings about the Americus program. I really never planned on going anywhere else. My dream was to be the head football coach of Americus. I don’t know if it is ever going to happen, but I will not give up on my dream.”

Wade has spent the last three years selling licensed products for SportsLife. He was with the Panthers from 1996-2001 before moving on to start the men’s basketball program at South Georgia Tech. He left there in 2006 and went to Miami Dade College for a year before going to SportsLife.

Wade had a pair of quarterbacks who went on to successful college careers, including Fabian Walker (Florida State) and Robert Johnson (Texas Tech), who ended up a receiver at the Big 12 program. By the time Johnson graduated, Americus had every passing and receiving record in the state for a single season and career.

Entering last season, Americus receivers still held GHSA records for most yards in a season (John Harris) and career (Jermain Allen), and both Allen and Harris were 1-2 in receiving touchdowns. Walker was second in career passing yards and third in career touchdowns passing.

Despite being out of football for almost 10 years, Wade said there’s no bit of rust in his system.

“To me, coaching is not about Xs and Os,” he said. “You either have the ability to motivate, teach and coach, or you don’t. I think it’s a good opportunity to get back with Coach Truitt and several other guys I’ve coached with before. It will be like old times.”

Truitt said both have a great understanding for the game and can relate to the kids well.

“Darren’s a fine, young man that pays attention to small details, and that’s what we actually need,” he said. “He’s a motivator, and he can sit back and watch and tell after each play what is going on and can make adjustments. Chris can put a lot of pressure on defensive coordinators and defenses, and he knows how to put our offense in position to be successful. He understands quarterbacks as well as the offense. Both could be head coaches in other places, and be successful ones.”

With reclassification, Americus-Sumter and Monroe are now in the same division, and the Panthers will make the trip to Albany on Oct. 2 to play the Tornadoes.

“It’s going to be different,” said Alford. “I’ve never coached football anywhere high-school wise other than Americus, and it will be a lot different having to coach against them. Americus will be the strongest team we play physically by far. I hope they win every football game this year except the game they play us.

“It will be bittersweet knowing I’ve had so much time with those kids and worked with them. Of course we want to win, and someone’s got to win and lose the game. If we win, I’ll feel good about what we’re doing, but I’ll also feel sadness for those kids because they’ve worked so hard.”