Jerrod Shelton resigns as Crockett County boys basketball coach to be assistant principal

Jackson Sun

For the second time in his career at Crockett County, Jerrod Shelton has made the decision to resign as boys basketball coach.

Shelton will be an assistant principal and athletic director at Crockett County.

"It is hard to do it a second time," Shelton said Monday. "I did this eight years ago. I got back in and it was the greatest thing ever because I got to coach my son (Luke). It's time, and it is ready. I want to focus on something new."

Shelton also resigned in 2013 to be the athletic director only to take back the job boys basketball coach in 2015 to bring back stability to the program.

This ends 23 years in coaching for Shelton with the last six bringing some special moments. When Shelton returned in 2015, his son Luke was a freshman so he was able to coach him for four years. Those four years included three district championships (2017, '18 and '19) and a region championship in 2019.

"I got to coach my son and win a region championship, which Crockett County had never done before," Shelton said.

Crockett County head coach Jerrod Shelton talks to his team during a time-out at South Gibson High School in Medina, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. South Gibson tied with Crockett County, then played overtime. The Hornets defeated Crockett, 63-68.

Shelton has gone 107-71 (.601 winning percentage) in the last six years with the Cavaliers.

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One of Shelton's first tasks as athletic director will be to find his replacement.

"Myself and (Crockett County principal Bobby) Mullins, who is also a former basketball coach, will start the process on Tuesday," Shelton said. "We will keep it open 10 days or more if needed. We have a lot of good young players, so we want to find the right person for the job."

Crockett County went 10-13 last season, losing in the District 13-AA quarterfinals. The Cavaliers move into District 13-AAA next season with Dyer County, Dyersburg and Obion County.

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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.