By Rubin E. Grant
As he stood on the sideline before Briarwood Christian’s season-opening volleyball game, Chris Camper wondered to himself what he was doing there.
After 25 years in education and a 22-year coaching career that included stops at Spain Park, Mountain Brook and Hoover, Camper retired at the end of the 2021 season to spend more time with his family and on his farm in Sterrett in Shelby County.
But last November, Briarwood lured Camper out of retirement to be its new head volleyball coach.
So, there he was on Aug. 22 coaching the Lions against Jemison and wondering about his return to coaching.
“I won’t lie,” Camper said, “that thought crossed my mind. I’ve coached over 1,000 matches, so how did I get back out here?
“But it was a fleeting thought. When I looked at the kids, they were having a great time, and the fans were enthusiastic, so it was good to be back.”
Camper admitted that coaching was still in his blood, but the situation at Briarwood gave him an unusual opportunity to return.
“You’re never not going to miss coaching,” he said. “But I don’t consider myself out of retirement cause I’m not teaching.”
The fact that he didn’t have to return to the classroom was instrumental in Camper’s decision to accept the job. Plus, his wife, Joanna, is working alongside him, and his daughter Jordan, an eighth grader who’s on the Lions’ junior varsity team, is receiving a private school education.
“It’s nice for her to have that opportunity and I’m excited my wife gets to work with me on our staff,” Camper said.
Camper’s younger daughter, Makenna, who also plays volleyball, is currently being home-schooled and might attend Briarwood later.
Another factor in Camper’s decision is he was allowed to bring in Michael Heard as one of his assistants. Heard is the former head coach at John Carroll Catholic.
“Michael is one of my best friends,” Camper said. “So, with him and my family, it was the perfect storm for me to come back. Plus, I have the support of the administration to do it my way.”
Building the Program
The Lions swept Jemison in their opener, then split six games in the Juanita Boddie Tournament Aug. 23-24 at the Finley Center in Hoover. Last week, Briarwood posted victories against Altamont and Leeds as Camper starts to put his imprint on the program.
Camper doesn’t expect the Lions to become contenders right away.
‘It’s going to take several years to see our plan come together,” he said. “We want to be a volleyball program that matches the standard of excellence that Briarwood has. We want people to look at our program as it’s the best academic and volleyball combination in the state.
“I’m sure the girls are hoping for good things this season. They are working hard.”
The Lions have only one senior, setter Mia Wilson. Other key players are juniors Clara Crawford, a middle/outside hitter, and Sophia Seale, an outside hitter, sophomore right side Julie Roberts and 5-foot-11 freshman outside hitter Leighton Hendley.
“We’ve got some good young players with the potential to grow,” Camper said.
The Lions will compete in Class 5A, Area 8 along with Sylacauga, Central-Clay County and Shelby County.
After coaching at the highest classification level throughout his career – first Class 6A, then 7A – Camper said he has to familiarize himself with 5A competition.
“It’s different playing 5A volleyball, so we’re focusing on getting the girls better to play against 5A competition,” he said. “We’re doing different things than they’re used to. Our defense is different and our approach is different.”
