The Selma Times-Journal

The next major change in the Selma High athletic department has come with the apparent departure of Brian Montgomery as head football coach.

The Selma City School Board had approved the renewal of Montgomery’s teaching contract and coaching supplement. School board spokesperson Crystal Boykin could not say exactly when the contract was approved.

North Atlanta High School’s Web site, however, lists Montgomery as its head football coach. Former NAHS athletic director Steve Adley confirmed Montgomery had been offered the position.

Montgomery, an Atlanta native, declined comment when reached by phone because the hire will not be official until approved by North Atlanta’s school board. Montgomery has gone 10-10 in two years as the Saints’ coach and was the only team last season to score three touchdowns on eventual 6A state champion Prattville.

Selma School Board President Barbara Hiouas would not comment, saying it is a personnel matter.

Controversy has surrounded the Selma athletics program since the posting of all 26 of its jobs last month, including Montgomery’s.

The Selma head coach declined to say if the posting of his job prompted him to search elsewhere for employment.

Interim superintendent Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson said the school system called for open application of all athletic jobs after a recommendation by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) last year.

AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese said during a telephone interview recently, he is the only person that could approve such a recommendation. He said no communication regarding the posting athletic jobs at Selma High took place between his office and representatives of Selma City Schools.

“I did not meet with them. This is very foreign to me,” Savarese said.

When asked about the discrepancy Saturday, Dawson said through a school spokesperson that she could not discuss the matter at length because it involved a personnel issue.

Five assistant football coaches will also not return to Selma High next year. Linebackers coach Riley White resigned a week ago. Defensive coordinator Walter Highsmith’s teaching contract was not renewed. Assistants Lenward Drakes, Ronald Lane and Javaris Jackson also did not have their teaching contracts renewed.