Braeden Netherton Takes Over Bob Jones Softball Program

MADISON- Braeden Netherton grew up in the small community of Tharptown located on Alabama Highway 48 just east of Russellville in Franklin County. She was a bountiful student-athlete who was an outstanding athlete in softball, basketball, volleyball, track and cheer for the Wildcats of Tharptown High where she attended from 2008-2012.

She has used her experiences as a youth to grow into an exceptional coach and has been named the new head coach of the Bob Jones softball program.

“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be the new head coach at Bob Jones as this opportunity allows me to bring my passion for the game and commitment to developing student-athletes to a program and school district with a strong tradition of excellence,” said Netherton, upon her being named head coach by the City of Madison School Board.

The 30-year Netherton took the position vacated by Whitney Deaver who exited Bob Jones after eight seasons to take a similar position at Huntsville High.

“I hope to continue the success of the coaches who led this program before me while maintaining the highest standards in character, class and work ethic,” said Netherton, who will also teach English Language Arts.

While in high school, she was third in her class in academics, was presented with a Citizenship Award and was a member of the Homecoming Court. Upon completion of high school, she attended Alabama Southern Community College where she was a First-Team All-Conference performer for the softball team and a member of the school’s cheer squad. She earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts from the school. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in English Language Arts and education certificate from Athens State University and soon received her master’s degree in English education from the University of West Alabama.

Netherton and her husband, Hunter, have two sons, Baylor, 8, and Boston, 5.

She began her teaching/coaching career at Decatur High in 2017 where she named New Teacher of the Year and moved to nearby Brewer High in 2021 where she became the head coach of the softball program. While with the Patriots’ program, she was named the 2022 Hartselle Enquire Coach of the Year, led the squad to the most wins in the program’s history in 2022, had three All-State players and five players who committed to play collegiate softball.

Netherton is a teacher both in the classroom and on the softball diamond. She said, “My goal is all students leave my classroom with advanced reading comprehension skills and advanced writing skills, while obtaining skills in problem solving and a higher order of thinking. Moreover, I hope to help my players understand the importance of being exemplary students and fundamentally sound athletes who represent Bob Jones High School in the highest regard.”