Former Escambia County High School head coach Mark Heaton was recently hired as the new head football coach and athletic director at Russellville High School, in northern Alabama.

Heaton was the head coach at ECHS for two seasons, from 2010-11. He compiled a 14-9 appearance, and his first team had a 9-4 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

Heaton served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northview High School, starting in 2004. His first head coaching job began in 2008 at J.U. Blacksher, where he achieved a 13-9 record over two seasons.

Prior to his hire at Russellville, Heaton had been the head football coach and athletic director at Haleyville High School. Heaton began his new job at Russellville on Monday.