Vigor coach Markus Cook fired just after appearing at morning workout

By ARTHUR L. MACK

Vigor High School head football coach Markus Cook was fired Thursday, according to the Mobile County Public School System.

“Today, Markus Cook was relieved of head football coaching duties at Vigor High School,” MCPSS director of communications Rena Philips said in a statement. “Vigor administrators met with coach Cook, the football players and coaches today and will meet with the parents soon. The Wolfpack will continue its summer conditioning as scheduled, while the search for a new coach begins. Vigor has a tradition of excellence and will continue to make its community proud.”

Cook was present for a workout Thursday morning at the school and gave no indication of what was to come.

“Thank you God for closed doors,” Cook wrote on X later on Thursday. He declined to comment further when reached by the Call News.

The new coach, who will take over just before preseason practice starts, will be the Wolves’ fourth in six seasons. John McKenzie took Vigor to a state championship in 2019, then was put on administrative leave. Cook — who played for the Wolves and was an All-American center at Jackson State — followed and was 12-7 in two years.

Vigor was 7-3 last season but missed the playoffs after the Alabama High School Athletic Association ruled it used an ineligible player.

Interim principal Tiffany Buchanan did not return a message asking for comment.

As word spread about Cook’s dismissal, reaction on social media was full of disbelief and anger.

“If they were going to let him (go), should have happened after the season,” one Facebook poster said.

Another blamed the Mobile County Public School board “but y’all keep voting them in.”

Some posts said coaches are under too much pressure to perform.

“They underpay them and underpay the recruitment process,” the poster said. “Players, let’s be honest, are selling themselves. So, they need an incentive or a perk to go to that place. Now, it’s like one season here and go. No one gets fair shots. If you go 2 seasons and fail, you were lucky once but not this time. If I was a coach, I would be sending resumes out mid-season if we have a loss.”

One said too much emphasis is placed on athletics: “Big deal … All a coach does is walk around looking important, blowing a whistle and throwing a clipboard. The team should know how to play football already. Besides, it’s high school, YAWN … focus on education.”

Vigor opens the regular season on Aug. 23 at Blount in the Battle of Prichard.