Luverne High School gave new head football coach Scott Rials and his family a warm welcome at Monday’s meet-and-greet.

Crenshaw County Schools hired Rials last month. He replaces Mike Dubose, who announced his departure in February. Dubose has since accepted a position with Opp High School.

Rials said several reasons led him to Crenshaw County. One of the main reasons was his family.

“I’m an only child and my mother is 30 minutes away from here. I’ve been in Satsuma, which is in Mobile County, for the last two years. It was time to come back closer to home,” he said.

Rials is the former head coach of Elba High School, where he led the team to a state title in 2010. He said he hoped for great things out of Luverne.

“There’s a tradition of football here,” he said. “I hope to continue the success they’ve had here in the past.”

The Tigers start spring practice in May. That practice will include a home game against Straughn High School on May 14.