MADISON- Summer months continue to be busy times for local high school athletic programs and Bob Jones High is among those staying the course prior to the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. The Patriots recently named two head coaches to assist in coordinating its athletics in boys’ soccer and cross country.

Bill McIlwain-

As the new head coach of the cross country program, the 51-year old McIlwain actually unofficially coached the team last school year as the official head coach was on maternity leave early in the 2019 season. Once a multi-media specialists in television, radio and newspaper, he jumped into coaching in 2006 as an assistant in Clinton, Miss. In 2010, his squad won the Boys Class 6A State Championship. He took over the girls junior high program as head coach in 2010 where he remained until 2015. He was a varsity assistant until arriving in Madison in 2019.

Married to his wife, Susan, they made the trip to Madison to be near both of their adult children who live in the immediate area.

McIlwain began running in college and continues to run today and has participated in seven marathons along with numerous 10K and 5K races.

“I have put in a lot of mileage through the years and love to run with the team during workouts,” added McIlwain. “I kind of just fell into this new position as they asked me earlier this year if I was interested in being the head coach.”

Mike Parker-

A 22-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Mike Parker currently works fulltime in criminal investigation on Redstone Arsenal. He takes over the boys’ soccer program after the departure of Uwe Spiller, who became head coach in 2011.

“I’m super excited about this challenge as having a military background I will set the bar high and demand discipline from our players,” said Parker, 50, who first moved to Madison in 2009 with his wife, Jodie, and their three children. “My style of coaching is development be a priority. On the field, I like possession style of play, plus I’m a big believer in student-athlete development.”

Parker began playing soccer at age seven living near Boston, Mass. He played in both high school and college where he was named team captain.

In 2015, Parker started the local AYSO United Club Program, which has grown into 19 teams and in 2019 he was awarded the Alabama Competitive Club Coach of the Year by the Alabama Soccer Association for his outstanding achievement in such a short period of time. He’s an Accredited Interscholastic Coach for the AHSAA and NFHS.

“I’m looking for the opportunity to keep the high level reputation of Bob Jones soccer,” said Parker.