In 2026, a new coach will be leading the Plainview Bears baseball team. Recently, Cody Willingham was approved as the new baseball coach at Plainview High School.
Willingham, a 2015 graduate of Plainview, was an assistant for Plainview softball last season and was an assistant at Fort Payne before returning to his alma mater. Willingham replaces Phil Johnson, who spent 10 seasons as the head coach at Plainview.
Last season, the Bears ended with a record of 8-13 and did not make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Plainview has a long history of successful baseball on Sand Mountain, winning 15 DeKalb County championships and making the playoffs 27 times since 1991.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next Head Baseball Coach at Plainview High School. This school and community mean so much to my family and me, and we are honored to be a part of it,” said Willingham. “I’m excited to continue the proud tradition of this program and build something special grounded in: Discipline, Family, Competing, and Relentless.”
The Bears will open the 2026 season at home on February 21 with a doubleheader against Fyffe and Sand Rock.