Following last month's announcement that legendary coach Ricky Bowers would be stepping down from his role as athletic director and associate head of school, Ensworth announced on Tuesday that longtime baseball coach Jason Maxwell would be taking on the role.
Maxwell has been the school's head baseball coach for 19 years, since the program was founded in 2004. He will take over as AD when Bowers transitions into his new role as athletic administrator emeritus at the end of the school year.
"I am beyond excited to be named the next athletic director at Ensworth," Maxwell said in a release from the school. "I am deeply honored and thankful for this opportunity. The Ensworth community has become such a special place for my family over the past 20 years, and this position is one that I cannot wait to embrace."
Maxwell, who led Ensworth to its only baseball state tournament appearance in 2019, played three seasons in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Twins and spent more than a decade playing baseball professionally.
The Lewisburg native was a two-time all-conference honoree at Middle Tennessee State, where he helped lead the Blue Raiders to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"I look forward to continuing the legacy of the Ensworth athletic program set forth by my predecessor, Ricky Bowers, as I aim to impact, inspire, and lead our student-athletes and athletic department in their future endeavors with hopes of them becoming people of high character and integrity on and off of the field of play."
The decorated Bowers will be advising Ensworth's coaches in his new role. During his long career as a coach, Bowers won 15 state championships - five with Ensworth boys basketball, four with Ensworth football, and three each with MBA football and basketball.
The Nashville native was a three-sport star at MBA before becoming an all-conference basketball player at Lipscomb University, where he finished his career as the program's all-time leader in assists.
Bowers is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Lipscomb Athletics Hall of Fame.
"Coach Maxwell is a wonderful man and model of kindness," Bowers said. "Ensworth is and has been fortunate to have him and his beautiful family flourish in this community for 20 years. I am thrilled to know he will have this new opportunity and remain in this community for years to come."