Band and athletic leaders named for new school
(Left) Bill Stewart was announced as the new head football coach at James Clemens High School at Central Office Tuesday, Dec. 13. Keith Anderson was announced as the school's new band director.
BY LINDSAY VAUGHT
After a couple months of hard work, interviewing and close consultation with Superintendent Dr Dee Fowler, James Clemens High School Principal Dr. John Green finally found the leaders of his athletic and band programs.
He announced Bill Stewart as the Head football coach and Keith Anderson as the Band Director.
Anderson has been assistant band director and percussion instructor at Bob Jones for 10 years. He is a graduate of Muscle Shoals High School and the University of North Alabama where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Stewart comes to Madison from Etowah High School in Woodstock, Ga. where he has been head football coach and strength coach since 2006.
James Clemens High School Principal John Green, a former principal at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga., became familiar with Stewart even though the two have not worked together before.
Green said the school’s colors will be Carolina blue with a navy accent, and the nickname has been narrowed down to Jets or Lions.
“We have seen some artwork on both and we’re getting close to naming one because we have to order uniforms soon,” Green said. “We got a lot of input from the community. Lions would be an obvious choice because we already have Lions in place at our middle school field and gym and Jets kind of emerged because of our geographical location.”
Green, who came on board Oct. 1, has been working from an office at the central office.
“At this point, I feel pretty good about the facilities,” Green said.
The school will start out with a band practice field, two soccer fields, a practice football field, 6 tennis courts and four baseball/ softball fields.
There will be a field house and weight room combined at over 15,000 square feet to include a 5,000 square foot weight room. The gym will seat 2,200 and will seat fans on three sides.
“We’re excited about the progress,” he said. “We know things can change with the weather, but right now, they are doing a great job.”
He will put together a video tour in the coming days that will be on the city schools website for public viewing.
Green added that in May when it comes time for spring football practice, Stewart will lead players through all practices at Liberty Middle School on their fields and utilize the weight room and facilities there.
