H.S. BASEBALL: Whitehead named head coach at Madison

The transition time from one coach to another was a quick one for the Madison baseball team.

Former coach Craig Murley stepped down a week ago, and now North Side assistant John Whitehead has been named the head coach.

Whitehead has spent the last couple seasons as an assistant coach under Eric Quinn at Trinity Christian Academy and then Chris Clark at North Side.

“Madison looks for a quality person first, and John is that,” said Murley, Madison’s athletic director. “He is a good Christian man, and he will be a good example to the team.

“Second, we wanted a good baseball guy. He has coached under two great coaches, and both spoke highly of him. He had a big impact on what TCA and North Side were doing, and he has energy to put more life into the program.”

Whitehead is excited about the opportunity for his first head coaching job.

“Every person who pursues a career in coaching dreams of being a head coach,” Whitehead said. “God gave me the opportunity to do that here in Jackson with a great administration and a great athletic staff. I get to stand on the shoulders of what Murley has established here.”

The atmosphere that Madison creates for its athletes and coaches made this the right fit for Whitehead.

“Coming from TCA and North Side, and seeing the support of the principal, athletic director and staff, I wanted to have that same support,” Whitehead said. “Madison is all in wanting not only a well-educated student, but a well-rounded student.”

“Secondly, it was a great fit because of the school system. I can teach at Northeast and coach at Madison. Staying in Jackson was also key for my wife, so that she can stay at her job and I am not dragging her across West Tennessee.”

The first couple of months will not be anything special for Madison with Whitehead taking over.

“First, I want to meet and start establishing relationships with the players,” he said. “I know a couple of the players. I have to find out what they bring to the table, and they need to know what I bring to the table. I think it is important to establish the trust.

“After that, I want to continue building the program along what Murley set – working on arm strength and learning all aspects of the game.”

Murley stepped down as baseball coach for family reasons.

“I know it is cliché, but I wanted to spend more time with my family,” Murley said. “I wanted to spend more time with my kids. Last year I missed nine of my son’s 12 baseball games. My priority right now needs to be focused on home.

Murley said being the Madison athletic director made the decision a little easier.

“I will still be involved with Madison athletics, and I can go to games and to practice if I want to,” Murley said. “But I can also focus on other spring sports that I couldn’t get to as the baseball coach.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754