JASPER, AL – Bevill State Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Cheatham as the new Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball Team. Coach Cheatham has served during the past two years as Assistant Coach for the Bevill State Bears basketball team. He has 22 years of experience as Head Coach in high schools, including two years at Thompson High School in Alabaster, AL, fifteen years at Ramsay High School in Birmingham, AL, and five years at Huffman High School in Birmingham, AL. The Bevill State Basketball Program is located on the College’s Jasper Campus. 

“I’m very excited to have Coach Cheatham coming on board as BSCC’s new Head Coach for Men’s Basketball. When a coaching legend like Tommy Suitts retires, there is automatically some concern about how you are going to replace him; but with Coach Cheatham, I think it will be a seamless transition.  He brings a great deal of experience and a wealth of knowledge about the game of basketball to our team. Plus, he already knows these young men since he has helped recruit them… and he cares about them. I think the future of Bears basketball in very good hands with Coach Cheatham,” stated Bevill State Athletic Director Max Weaver. 

Cheatham’s coaching career has included two State Championships (2006 and 2010), two State Championship Runner-ups (2014, 2015), five Final Four Appearances (2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2006), five Regional Championships (2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2006), and four Area Championships (2015, 2006, 2004, 2002).  

Coach Cheatham commented on his new position by saying, “My wife Gabrielle and I are grateful to God for the open door of opportunity given to us through Bevill State Community College. I want to thank Interim President Dr. Chris Cox and Athletic Director Max Weaver for their confidence in me to lead the Men's Basketball Program. Over the past 2 years, as assistant to legendary Coach Tommy Suitts, I have found that the Bevill State family truly cares about the well-being and success of all students. For this, I am proud to continue in my new role as Head Men's Basketball Coach.” 

Bevill State Community College Interim President, Dr. Chris Cox, commented on a recent interaction with Cheatham, “Several of the College’s basketball players recently had a fire at their apartment. Coach Cheatham and his wife came to Jasper that night to be with the players and to ensure they were safe and all of their needs were addressed. Being a coach entails so much more than just teaching the sport, you are guiding them into adulthood. What I witnessed that night was a man that considers his players his family. He is there to support them in all aspects. I know that he will be an asset to the players and the College in this new role.” 

About Bevill State Community College (BSCC) 

Bevill State Community College is a public, two-year, "open door" institution, committed to providing comprehensive education and educational support services for people in West Central Alabama and beyond. Bevill State is a member of the Alabama Community College System. Bevill State's four main campuses, and one instructional site, offer university parallel and applied technology educational opportunities to over one-quarter million people in a seven-county area. This service area spans over 4,600 square miles, from the Birmingham city limits to the Mississippi state line. 

For more information contact Tana Collins-Allred at 800.648.3271 ext. 5742 or by email at tana.collins@bscc.edu.  Please visit our website at www.bscc.edu.