For nearly a decade, Coach Deddric Tarver has been quietly building one of the most respected junior college basketball programs in Alabama. Now that work has earned statewide recognition, as the Gadsden State Community College head coach has been named Co-Coach of the Year in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC).

The honor reflects not only the success of the Cardinals on the court, but also Tarver’s continued commitment to developing student-athletes both academically and athletically.

It also highlights something bigger happening across the region — the continued growth and competitive dominance of athletic programs throughout Central and East Alabama.

From Gadsden and Anniston to Pell City and Birmingham, schools across the region have increasingly produced championship programs, elite athletes, and coaching leaders who are making an impact statewide. Tarver’s program at Gadsden State has become an important part of that rising sports culture.

From Player to Coach

Before leading one of the ACCC’s top basketball programs, Tarver built his reputation as a student-athlete and educator.

A graduate of Miles College in Birmingham, Tarver played both basketball and cross-country during his collegiate career. As a guard for the Golden Bears, he earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in 1993 before graduating with a degree in elementary education.

His time at Miles helped shape a coaching philosophy centered on discipline, academics, and leadership — values he still emphasizes with his players today.

Birmingham Coaching Roots

Tarver’s path to Gadsden State began in Birmingham’s competitive high school basketball landscape, where he spent years mentoring young athletes and helping build winning programs.

He served as an assistant coach at Wenonah High School, helping lead the Dragons to a Final Four appearance in 2010. Over the course of his early coaching career, Tarver was also part of teams that reached multiple Final Four appearances and captured a state championship, helping cement his reputation as a strong developer of talent.

That experience working with young players in Birmingham laid the foundation for the approach he would later bring to the junior college level.

Building a Program at Gadsden State

Tarver joined Gadsden State Community College in 2016 as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach the following year. Since taking over the program in 2017, he has spent nearly a decade leading the Cardinals while building a culture centered on discipline, player development, and academic success.

Under his leadership, the Cardinals have remained competitive in the Alabama Community College Conference, while helping numerous players move on to four-year universities.

Several former Gadsden State players have continued their basketball careers at schools such as Grambling State University, Oakwood University, Berry College, Arkansas Baptist College, and Stillman College, demonstrating the program’s ability to develop talent for the next level.

Coaching Success and Player Development

One of the most notable recent players developed under Tarver was Kintavious Dozier, who led the nation in scoring at 27.8 points per game before transferring to play at Grambling State University. Dozier ultimately transferred to Alabama A&M where he is a standout athlete in the SWAC.

Other players who have continued their collegiate careers after playing under Tarver include:

  • Parker Godwin – Berry College
  • Azaad Ben – Oakwood University
  • Ryan Anderson – Oakwood University
  • D’Angelo Foster – Arkansas Baptist College
  • Morrez Calloway – Stillman College
  • Mekhi Fitts – Grambling State University
  • De’Marreon Baldwin – Tennessee Southern
  • Shannon Jones – Miles College

Tarver’s approach emphasizes development both on and off the court, with many of his players earning academic honors while competing at a high level in the ACCC. His ability to help players transition from junior college basketball to four-year programs has become one of the defining strengths of the Gadsden State program during his tenure.

A Pipeline to Division I Basketball

Programs like Gadsden State have become an increasingly important pipeline for Division I basketball talent across Alabama and the Southeast.

Junior college programs give players an opportunity to continue developing after high school while improving academically and physically before transferring to four-year universities. In recent years, many Division I programs have relied more heavily on the junior college ranks to find experienced and mature players who can contribute immediately.

For schools like Gadsden State, that means serving as a crucial stepping-stone for athletes looking to advance their careers while also strengthening the overall reputation of Central and East Alabama as one of the state’s most productive regions for developing college basketball talent.

More Than Basketball

For Tarver, coaching has always been about more than wins and losses.

Throughout his career, he has remained committed to mentorship and community involvement, helping guide young athletes toward success both on the court and in the classroom.

That philosophy continues to define his leadership at Gadsden State, where the Cardinals program has become known for producing players who are prepared for both college athletics and life beyond basketball.

With his recognition as ACCC Co-Coach of the Year, Tarver’s work is now receiving the statewide attention it deserves — a testament to years of dedication, leadership, and investment in student-athletes.

And as Central and East Alabama continue to rise as one of the state’s strongest athletic regions, leaders like Coach Tarver remain at the center of that momentum.

Stay tuned for details on the annual Gadsden State Community College High School Tournament November 20 – 21, 2026 and check out our pre-season conversation with Coach Tarver on the Pell City Podcast.