By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Former Cummings football player Terrance Alford has been picked as interim coach for the 2025 season at his alma mater.
“It’s really a big deal for me being a former athlete and student here and to be able to continue to handle business,” Alford said. “It means a lot. If you went to Cummings, you know the tradition.”
Alford, a 2012 graduate, was promoted to fill a vacancy created with the late-May firing of David Grimm, who was the head coach for five seasons. The Cavaliers had winning records in each of those seasons.
Alford was a standout player on Cummings’ 2010 and 2011 conference championship teams under coach Steve Johnson.
Now as head coach, Alford said he’s looking to build on traditions at the school.
“Being a Cavalier means something to have that blue and gold on your chest,” he said. “When you’re at Cummings, all you think about is greatness in athletics and academics. That’s the standard.”
As an assistant coach, Alford worked with the offensive unit. He also was junior varsity coach.
Several Cummings players said during the past few weeks that they’re familiar with Alford and they’ve been comfortable with him as an assistant coach. He had been conducting offseason workouts since Grimm’s departure before the formal appointment as interim coach.
“These are my guys,” Alford said. “The guys are doing a good job dealing with adversity. We’ll keep the ball rolling like we have in the past.”
The Cavaliers have a strong core of rising seniors. The players have been groomed by Alford in recent seasons on the junior varsity and varsity.
“This team, we all grew together,” he said. “We know the big picture. We always find a way to come together.”
Alford, 31, oversees in-school suspension at Cummings. He’s also an assistant boys’ and girls’ basketball coach, while also serving as girls’ basketball coach at adjacent Broadview Middle School.
“I stay busy in this community,” he said.
Alford was a three-sport athlete at Cummings, also participating in basketball and track and field. He went on to play football at Division II Shaw University in Raleigh.
With Alford shifting to the head coaching position, he said he expects most other staff members to remain. Others on the staff will have a chance to soak in the sudden changes, he said, with staff additions likely in the next few weeks.
“Trying to keep things as smooth as possible,” he said.
Last year, Cummings went 8-3. The Cavaliers open this season August 22 at home against Williams.
