Niceville’s Norris hired by Alabama

Dax Norris was a two-year starter at catcher for Alabama in 1995 and 1996.

Now, the Niceville assistant is headed back to the Capstone as a volunteer assistant coach. The move was announced on Wednesday by Alabama head coach Jim Wells. Norris replaces Chad Oxendine, who was named full-time assistant coach at Richmond earlier this month.

Norris made 122 starts in 132 games for the Crimson Tide, batting .329 (177-for-538) with 10 home runs and 83 RBI. He also compiled a .994 fielding mark — one of the best in school history.

“I am very excited to be coming home to Alabama and working on Coach Wells’ staff,” Norris told rolltide.com. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue to learn the game of baseball from someone I have so much respect for. I am also excited to be back with Coach (Mitch) Gaspard, who was an assistant coach when I played here at Alabama. I have always wanted to come back to Alabama and I am grateful for this opportunity.”

Norris played 11 seasons with the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros organizations, reaching the Triple A level with both clubs. He appeared in 846 career games and batted .265 with 73 home runs and 421 RBI.