Sparkman Hires New Basketball Head Coaches
Emily Flanigan is the new head coach of the Sparkman High girls basketball program. With a rich history in athletes, she brings a wealth of experience and success developing young athletes. Photo Contributed
New Sparkman boys basketball coach Obadiah Threadgill IV grew up in Tuskegee and has deep roots in Alabama. He joins the Senators’ staff from LaFayette where he won a Class 2A State Championship in 2015. Photo Contributed
Obadiah Threadgill IV is the new boys basketball coach for the Senators making his way to Sparkman from Pike Road High, located southeast of Montgomery, where he was head coach for three seasons. He also coached at LaFayette High and Sanford Middle School. He was named Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2015 while at LaFayette where his team won the Class 2A State Championship. He has an overall head coaching record of 204-60 scanning nine seasons.
“I’m excited to be here at Sparkman where I know basketball is very important to the school and community,” said Threadgill, 42. “I look forward to taking the coaching baton and running with it. I am passionate about high school athletics and deeply committed to the success of all students. I am eager to get started and help our athletes reach their full potential on and off the court.”
For the Lady Senators, another coach with ties to South Alabama comes to the Tennessee Valley as Emily Flanigan arrived from Foley High, which is located just north of Gulf Shores. She was head coach for four seasons winning three Area Championships and earning back-to-back Elite Eight berths. In 2023-2024, her squad finished 18-8 and won the Class 7A, Area 2 title.
She was a three-sport athlete at Fayette County High graduating in 2002 later playing college basketball at both Shelton State and West Alabama earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology: Social Work. She soon earned her master’s degree in Physical Education in 2010. She had her first head coaching job in 2013. Her overall record at Foley was 78-29.
“I look forward to building on the strong foundation of the girls basketball program as I am passionate about mentoring young athletes and helping them achieve their full potential on and off the court,” said Flanigan. The 40-year old is married to Byron, who will act as her assistant coach at Sparkman, and they have two children.
