The Selma Times-Journal

Patrick Evans has become Selma High’s athletic director and Francis Marion’s Woodie Jackson is now the boys’ basketball coach and assistant principal.

The Selma City School Board at its meeting Thursday night voted 9-1 to hire Jackson, replacing current Saints coach Willie Maxey Jr. There were seven votes to approve Evans and two abstentions.

“I’m accustomed to a family atmosphere,” Jackson said. “It’s going to take a little time, but that’s what we want to get. We want to create a good academic and family situation.”

Jackson has won six state championships in 17 years as the coach of the Rams. His most recent accomplishment was coaching the McDonald’s All American boys’ basketball game in Milwaukee in March.

Evans has been an NCAA basketball official for14 years and has worked the NCAA Division I Tournament for the last six years.

His experience in the Selma City Schools system includes a one-year basketball coaching stint at the School of Discovery.

“I wanted to return home and try to give something back to the athletes in the areas of receiving scholarships and facilities upgrades and be of some assistance to the coaches who have helped me become what I have become,” Evans said.

Evans’ teaching duties will begin immediately. He is assisting seniors trying to pass the graduation exam, and he said he would try to build community support of the athletics program over the summer.

His hire leaves the status of current athletics director and head football coach Brian Montgomery in uncertainty.

Montgomery declined comment, and Maxey did not return a message seeking comment.