Soul of 78: Dustin Kennedy
Inspired by those around him, Dustin Kennedy chose to become a teacher and coach to inspire the next generation.
By the time Dustin Kennedy began tenth grade, he already knew he wanted to pursue a career in education. “I looked up to my teachers and coaches, so I knew early on that I wanted to be a teacher and coach. My mom, aunt, uncle, and siblings all work in education, so I think it was inevitable for me," he says.
Dustin's passion for sports, especially basketball, began at Maddox Middle School under the coaching of Heath Burns. At Walker High School, he expanded his athletic pursuits by running track and playing basketball with coaches Mark Aldridge, Eric Phillips, and Scott Ware, each of whom helped shape his mindset and love for sports.
After high school, Dustin attended Bevill State Community College and the University of Montevallo. He graduated from Montevallo in 2014 and completed a graduate degree in 2015. His first job in education was at Oak Mountain Middle School, where he taught history and coached basketball and track. During Dustin's time at Oak Mountain, coach Chris Love played a significant role in his development as a coach, involving him in coaching football as well. Dustin coached championship-winning teams over his three years at Oak Mountain and was named Metro Coach of the Year.
These successes paved the way for a coaching opportunity at Helena High School, where he became the varsity assistant to the legendary Billy Grant. In 2019, after just one year under Grant, Dustin and his wife, Katie, decided to start their family and moved to Katie's small hometown of Brewton, Alabama. Dustin explains that Katie exhibited "another level of passion" for her alma mater, T.R. Miller High School, and wanted their children to attend the same school.
In 2019, Dustin secured a position as the head varsity basketball coach at T.R. Miller High School. He also assists with varsity football and coaches middle school football. Over the past five years, as he has grown his career and invested in his family and community, Dustin's passion for sports has remained strong. His values have centered on God, family, and being a positive example for his students.
"Ultimately, I'm not chasing championships and rings. I am trying to promote better character and young men that will become great men for our society," says Dustin. "I want to be a role model and teach them to navigate life successfully. That is my true passion at the end of the day."
To Dustin, nothing is more important than shaping the next generation to navigate life with character and integrity, just as his coaches did for him. Paying it forward is the most important legacy he can leave. 78