Closing the Playbook to Open the Next Chapter
May 14, 2024

Tim Shepler is retiring from Homewood High School's basketball program after three decades of coaching!


"It was just time," Coach Shepler said. "But no rocking chair for me. I am unsure what is next, but I know God will show the way." Hailing from a devout Christian household, his upbringing instilled in him strong values that have shaped his character and outlook on life. His focus transcends mere victories or defeats, aiming to impart invaluable lessons that shape the character and values of the young men under his guidance.


Born and raised in Indiana, the heart of basketball country, he developed a passion for the sport from a young age. His formative years coincided with the heyday of Bobby Knight's tenure at Indiana University. After graduating as a player from Oral Roberts University, Shepler took a job coaching football and basketball at a middle school in Louisiana. And then a few years into his career, on a whim, he called the legendary John Wooden, who not only answered the phone, but then invited Coach Shepler to his home to talk further! This amazing opportunity became a pivotal eight hour conversation that truly helped shape his coaching career.


"He never talked about winning," Coach Shep said. "He only talked about your best effort, doing your best. And if you do that, you can be satisfied. His old, famous definition of success was basically doing the best with what you have, all the time."


Wooden said that when he got to UCLA in 1948, nobody cared about basketball. It was all about surfing and other things. So it took time to grow that program. Wooden didn't win a championship until 1964, his first of ten. Inspired by Wooden's longevity and emphasis on character, integrity, and teamwork, Shepler adopted these principles as the cornerstone of his coaching style, eventually building up to a Class 6A state title in 2016.


"John's was a 16 year plan, mine was a 20 year plan to build a championship team," Coach Shep jokes.

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His career was no joke though! In 29 seasons at Homewood, coupled with five years as a head coach in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Coach Shep amassed 662 career wins. In addition to the 2016 Class 6A state championship, the Patriots also finishing as state runners-up in 2008 and 2010. Under his leadership, his teams secured 13 area titles, and 28 players advanced to the college ranks, a testament to his ability to nurture talent. And bringing the wisdom of John Wooden and his philosophy full circle, Coach Shep recently won the Alabama Association of Basketball Coaches 2024 John Wooden Legacy Award! The recognition seeks to honor scholastic basketball coaches around the country who are educators and have achieved excellence on the floor, in the classroom and in the community that further embody the characteristics and legacy of Coach John Wooden. The criteria for this award are rooted in the ideals of education, longevity, character, service and excellence!


Throughout Coach Shep's coaching career, he has been fortunate to have the guidance and support of numerous mentors who played a pivotal role in shaping his success. Now he is hoping to pass that along working for the last two seasons with assistant Elijah Garrison, who figures to earn strong consideration for the head coaching position.


"No matter who the school picks as coach, I hope the foundation we have built will make it easier for someone to step in and have success," Shep said.


It was clear that what has also been particularly gratifying, especially since announcing his retirement, is that he has gotten a lot of texts from ex-players, parents and other coaches reminding him of the impact he has had on their lives, that he made a difference.


"You know, it didn't take long after getting to Homewood in 1995, and getting in the school system, and being around faculty and people in Homewood, that you realize this is a high level excellence minded community that really makes you step up your own game," coach said. "This community is about excellence. And so I think it's challenged me to be as good as I can be. And, hopefully I've done that for 29 years in Homewood!"

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Pre-Council & Council Meetings Oct. 26, 2026

October 26, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - OCTOBER 26, 2026

Bringing Fresh Ideas Back to Homewood

October 22, 2026
Homewood City Manager Cale Smith joined local government leaders from across the country at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference. The intent is to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore ways to better serve their communities. Throughout the conference, Smith attended sessions focused on high-performing local governments, budgeting, the challenges facing first-time city managers, and improving efficiencies in development services. General session speakers included historian Jon Meacham, leadership expert Kim Scott, and author Simon Sinek, who shared valuable perspectives on leadership, communication, and organizational culture. A highlight of the conference was reconnecting with fellow members of Smith’s Leadership ICMA cohort (pictured), a group of local government professionals committed to developing their leadership skills and strengthening their communities. It was a great opportunity to learn, build relationships, and bring fresh ideas back to Homewood as the City continues working to improve services and operations for its residents.

Discover Homewood Neighborhoods

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How much do you know about the history of the neighborhood you drive through every day? There is a new way to find out. The Homewood Historic Preservation Commission has created a self guided driving tour that takes you through the people, places and neighborhoods that helped shape Homewood. The tour includes 16 audio and text stops covering Homewood’s five historic wards. You can start wherever you want and explore just one area, or take about an hour and experience the entire tour. Along the way, you will hear stories from Rosedale, West Homewood, Edgewood, Lakeshore, Mayfair and Windsor, and Hollywood. The tour includes the Rosedale Historic District, Edgewood Lake, the old Zelosophian Academy site, the Pink House, the McDaniel House, Samford University and the historic homes of Hollywood. You will also see historic photographs collected from the Homewood Public Library, Birmingham Public Library Archives and the Alabama Department of Archives and History. And you may recognize the voice telling the stories. The tour is narrated by Shelia Snoddy, known to many from her years in radio as Jill Friday. Development was funded by the City of Homewood and in part through a Historic Preservation Fund Grant in Aid from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The free tour is available through the TravelStorys app for iOS and Android and can also be explored online Learn More Here

Pre-Council & Council Meetings Oct. 12, 2026

October 12, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - OCTOBER 12, 2026

Rep. Sewell Secures $250K for Stormwater Improvements

October 7, 2026
More federal funding is coming to Homewood to address stormwater issues. U.S. Representative Terri Sewell presented a check for $250,000 to the City of Homewood. This funding was obtained through the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations process and is designated for stormwater improvements. It will be used to provide upgrades and expand culvert capacity in the residential neighborhoods surrounding Edgewood Elementary School to help reduce localized street flooding and better protect nearby homes and infrastructure. This follows an earlier $1 million federal allocation from Rep. Sewell in 2024 that will be used for a drainage culvert project along Griffin Creek in the Huntington Road area. That project continues to work its way through the required process, with construction currently hoped to begin in 2027.

Planning Commission Oct. 6, 2026

October 6, 2026
The Planning Commission approved a resurvey at 215 West Valley Avenue, where a small restaurant is proposed. The Commission also considered changes for a proposed Dutch Bros too be placed at 832 Green Springs Highway, recommending approval of a reduced landscape buffer, but voting 4 to 2 against allowing full access for traffic to flow to and from Raleigh Avenue. That request now moves to the City Council for the final decision. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4zeIxYR

Animal Control Partnering w/ GBHS

October 5, 2026
Have a lost pet, need to report a stray or have a wildlife issue? There are several important changes to Homewood Animal Control services beginning Monday, October 5. REPORT A STRAY To report a stray , call Homewood Police non-emergency dispatch at 205-332-6200 . The City of Homewood, Homewood Police Department and Homewood Animal Control are partnering with Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) for these services. FIND YOUR PET If you think your animal may have been picked up by Animal Control, call the Greater Birmingham Humane Society at 205-591-6522 . Stray animals picked up in Homewood are taken to 6227 5th Ave. North in Birmingham until GBHS opens its new facility opens on Sydney Drive, and then they will be taken there. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 11:30am. GBHS is closed Sunday. Fees for picking up an animal may include $50 if the animal is unaltered, a $30 impound fee, a $20 rabies fee if proof of vaccination is not available and a $50 City fee. wildlife issues Call Complete Animal Removal at 205-208-7777 . Homewood Animal Control will not respond to wildlife calls involving animals such as raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes or foxes. after hours Stray animals will not be picked up after hours. If you report a stray after hours, Animal Control will handle the call the next business day.

BZA Meeting October 1, 2026

October 1, 2026
The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustments approved three requests. These included new signage for a hotel at 500 Wildwood North Circle, a screened porch addition at 906 Salter Road, and home renovations at 3105 Overton Drive involving setback variances. The board also discussed property slopes, drainage and existing lot conditions as factors in the requests. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4iKyiX6

Traffic Calming Coming to Hambaugh/Dixon Avenues

September 30, 2026
Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process to look at what is happening and determine whether traffic calming measures are needed and what those measures could be. One example is now moving toward a vote. The City received traffic concerns involving Hambaugh Avenue between Columbiana Road and Dixon Avenue, and Dixon Avenue between Broadway Street and Hambaugh Avenue. Traffic data was collected and studied, and both streets qualified for traffic calming measures. The current proposal calls for speed cushions at two locations on Hambaugh Avenue and two locations on Dixon Avenue. The design also takes emergency response into consideration, allowing fire trucks to travel through the middle of the cushions. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal October 12, 6pm at City Hall, 2nd floor Council Chambers . View Drawings of Cushion Locations Visit Traffic Calming Page

Traffic Issues on Your Street?

September 30, 2026
Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process for looking at those concerns and determining whether something should be done and what measures may be appropriate. Traffic calming is not simply putting in a speed hump or adding a sign. It is a process that uses traffic data, engineering standards and input from several City departments to look at what is happening on a street before deciding what, if anything, should change. It starts with a resident submitting a traffic calming request identifying the location and concern. City Engineering reviews the request and collects traffic data so the street can be evaluated using the City’s standards. If the request continues through the process, it receives additional review from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee. Planning, Traffic, Police and Fire also have an opportunity to look at the request. That is important because a possible solution has to consider more than vehicle speed. Things such as the street itself, pedestrian safety, traffic patterns and emergency response can all be part of determining whether a particular measure makes sense. The mayor and the councilor representing the area also review the request before it can advance to the resident petition stage. If the location qualifies and the request continues, affected residents take part in the petition process required by the City’s traffic calming policy. Only after those steps and required approvals are completed can a location move toward an appropriate traffic calming improvement. The goal is not to assume every traffic concern has the same answer. One street may have different conditions and needs than another. The process gives the City a way to collect information, hear from the people who live in the area and determine whether a traffic calming measure is appropriate and safe. Submit a Traffic Calming Request Visit Traffic Calming Page
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