Passing the baton: Esslinger ready for new challenge with Huskies track and field team

Hewitt-Trussville High School is the new landing spot for one of the most decorated track and field coaches in the state of Alabama in recent years.

Tom Esslinger was hired as the Huskies’ head varsity track and field coach on May 14, coming to Trussville from Homewood, where he has coached since 2005.

“Being around and coaching in the Birmingham area, I think Hewitt-Trussville is one of those programs that I’ve always admired how they do things,” Esslinger said.

During his time at Homewood, Esslinger oversaw a program that won 31 state championships across the cross-country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field seasons. Homewood has swept every possible team championship (14 straight) since the 2018 indoor championships.

“I feel good about leaving it as good as it could possibly be,” Esslinger said. “I feel great about where the Homewood program is. I still care about their success and all of that.”

Esslinger sees the opportunity at Hewitt-Trussville as a unique challenge, making the move from a Class 6A school to a 7A school.

“I really believe Hewitt-Trussville can compete for championships,” he said. “They’ve had a lot of success, and I hope I can build on the momentum they’ve already had. There’s a huge appeal of trying to win one there.”

David Dobbs, who has coached at Hewitt-Trussville for 30 years, will retire as the track and field coach but remain over the Hewitt-Trussville cross-country program.

“I bleed red and gray, and I’ve bled red and gray for 31 years, so it’s one of those things to where having him come in was a blessing,” Dobbs said. “Our program is well established, but it’s going to be a new voice and the kids need the energy. Overall, I can’t be more excited having him here.”

Dobbs led the Hewitt girls to indoor and outdoor state titles in 1999. The boys team finished second at the state outdoor meet in 2011 and second at the state indoor meet in 2017. Hewitt-Trussville also won 14 consecutive girls Jefferson County Championships from 1992 to 2005, while the boys won seven Jefferson County Championships over that same span.

Looking back, Dobbs remembers arriving in 1990 at Hewitt-Trussville, with the only track and field equipment at the school several decades old. He only had six participants show up to the first day of practice, but he and his wife Anita built and maintained the program over years.

“It’s great see what we’ve built up and knowing now that it’s in phenomenal hands, very professional hands,” Dobbs said.

One thing that hasn’t changed since 1990 is the Hewitt-Trussville uniforms. The jersey brands have changed throughout the years, but the same “Hewitt” wordmark across the chest has remained.

“When Coach Dobbs and I began talking about the future, we were both committed to finding the best possible individual to lead the program into the future,” Hewitt-Trussville Athletic Director Lance Walker said. “We are thrilled that Coach Esslinger is joining the Husky family. He has a proven track record of success, and I have been impressed with his character and passion. We are all excited about working together to make our program the best that it can be.”

Dobbs was also recently named the Class 7A recipient of the Making a Difference Award by the AHSAA. Along with mentoring and remaining connected with athletes that he’s coached in years past, Dobbs is also active with homeless shelters and helps distribute food to the needy.

“It was very humbling,” he said.

Esslinger starred as a decathlete at Scottsboro High and later at the University of South Alabama. He still lives in Homewood with his wife, Amanda, who works at Homewood High, and two kids, who attend Homewood schools.

He said he is thankful for Homewood taking a chance on him 15 years ago and deflected much of the credit for the program’s success over the years.

“I’m a big believer that all the success we had is because of the kids,” Esslinger said of his time at Homewood. “So many talented kids that were so dedicated. I tried not to mess them up and steer them in the right direction and get the most out of their ability.”