DAPHNE, Ala. — Tommy Walker has been named to take over the Bayside Academy baseball program in early July. Longtime Admirals’ coach Doug Leffard stepped down as head coach last month after 14-consecutive state play-off appearances and 14-consecutive top-10 state rankings.

Walker was the original baseball coach at Spanish Fort which opened as a Class 2A program in 2005. He led the Toros to three Class 5A state titles through 2012. He left SFHS to lead the program at Vestavia Hills for three seasons before moving to McGill-Toolen Catholic as an assistant.

Walker also coached at the collegiate level at Samford University. He led the Bulldogs from 1989-1997 and coached at Mountain Brook before helping the Spanish Fort program get off the ground.

The Mississippi native brings a 368-201 high-school coaching record with 14 playoff appearances to Bayside.

He was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014.

Leffard leaves the position with the most baseball victories in the school’s (2A and 3A) history. His record includes 362 wins, 96 losses with six area championships as well as the 14-consecutive postseason runs (four quarter-finals, one semi-final) and 14-consecutive top-10 state rankings.

Leffard was named Class 2A Baseball Coach of the Year by the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 2006. He also coached the South team in the AHSAA North-South All Star game in 2006.

In addition to coaching, Leffard has served as the Admiral’s Athletic Director for seven years before taking on his current role as Director of Athletic Facilities. Leffard will remain in his positions as facilities director and assistant football coach in the offensive coordinator role.

Walker will officially join the Bayside staff July 5.