H.S. BOYS' HOOPS: JC makes coach change
Jackson Christian announced the hiring of a new boys' basketball coach on Friday as the Eagles have promoted J.D. Byrd to the varsity coaching position.
Rick Johnson, the boys' basketball coach since 2008, said the hiring was news to him.
"I know I haven't resigned," Johnson said. "And no one has told me I've been fired."
The school sent the release out Friday afternoon. No mention of Johnson was made as it touted Byrd's accomplishments coaching Jackson Christian's middle school girls' program.
He led the middle school Lady Eagles to a 20-6 record, Tigrett tournament championship and semifinal appearance in the TNT tournament in Middle Tennessee. He's been an assistant under Johnson the past two seasons as well as the Eagles' golf team, which went to the Class A state tournament in 2013.
"Coach Byrd possesses the traits we look for in head coaches of our athletic programs," said athletic director Scott Gatlin in the release. "He loves his players with the love of Christ.
"He models hard work and is able to motivate his teams to work just as hard as he does."
Jackson Christian president Dr. Mark Benton said he looks forward to the Eagles' future with Byrd at the helm.
"Jackson Christian is extremely blessed to have Coach Byrd guide our basketball program into the future," Benton said in the release. "His energy, passion and knowledge will be a tremendous gift to our young men."
Johnson's tenure at Jackson Christian includes a 2011 appearance in the state semifinals when the Eagles were a part of TSSAA's Division II-A. He compiled a record of 96-90. The Eagles were co-district champions during Johnson's first three years with the program – in District 15-A in Division I in 2008-09 then in Division II-A West the following two years.
"I love Jackson Christian and the students there and have enjoyed most of my time there," Johnson said. "This isn't about basketball. This is a personal issue between me and Dr. Benton."
Gatlin declined to comment on the situation pertaining to Johnson, and efforts to reach Benton were unsuccessful.
Brandon Shields, 425-9751