Jeff Segars grew up in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.  At the start of his 9th grade year, Coach Peter Braasch informed all the freshmen football players that they had to find another sport to participate in. That began Jeff’s journey in wrestling. Hall of Fame Coach, Steve Gaydosh, began his career at Vestavia that same year so Jeff was able to be coached by Coach Gaydosh for 4 years.  Starting as a 9th grader who won very few matches, he eventually became a state champion his senior year. During his junior and senior years, Vestavia also won the 6A AHSAA state championships. Jeff graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 1986.  

Upon graduation, Jeff started his college career at the University of Alabama.  During that year he realized he still had the desire to wrestle and decided to move to Norfolk, Virginia and attend Old Dominion University.  Jeff wrestled for Coach Gray Simons for one year before returning to Alabama, graduating from the University of Alabama in August of 1991 with a business degree in International Marketing. Following graduation, Jeff felt the pull of wrestling again and decided upon a career in education and coaching. He returned to graduate school at the University of Montevallo to obtain his Masters Degree in Education.  During that time, Jeff started coaching football and wrestling at Pizitz Middle School and Vestavia Hills High School. 

After receiving his degree in 1993, Jeff began teaching 8th grade history at Pizitz Middle School and coaching wrestling and football as an assistant coach at Vestavia Hills High school. During his time at Vestavia, Jeff was part of 13 wrestling state championships, helped to coach numerous individual state champions and mentor several young men who followed in Jeff's footsteps to become wrestling coaches.  

Jeff eventually moved into the Athletic Director role for the Vestavia Hills School System.  During his time as Athletic Director, Coach Gaydosh decided to retire.  Jeff and Principal Tyler Burgess were tasked with finding a replacement for the retiring Hall of Fame coach.   Former Vestavia wrestler Tee Adams, who was coached by Jeff and Coach Gaydosh, was selected to fill the shoes of Coach Gaydosh and is continuing Vestavia's winning tradition. 

After 27 years in the Vestavia Hills School System, Jeff transitioned to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) in June of 2021 as an Assistant Director in charge of wrestling, track, and football.   As the director of wrestling for the AHSAA, Jeff continues to work with coaches throughout the state to help promote the sport of wrestling.   During Jeff’s tenure, with much hard work and cooperation from those across the state, girl's wrestling has moved from a pilot program with the AHSAA to becoming a sanctioned championship starting with the 2024 season.  

Jeff has been married to his high school sweetheart and former Vestavia Hills Wrestling Team manager, Ellen Thomas Segars for 32 years.  They have two children: Mary Frances Segars (26), and former Vestavia wrestler Bryant Segars (22).