James Clemens football coach resigns to return to Georgia

After one season and less than one school year, Bill Stewart is leaving James Clemens High School as head football coach and athletic director.

Bill Stewart has resigned as football coach at James Clemens High School. (File photo)

Stewart has accepted the position of director of safety, security and activities for Jackson County Schools in Jefferson, Ga., Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler announced in a press release.

“We wish Coach Stewart and his family success as they move back home and open a new chapter of their lives,” Fowler said. “My initial impression of Coach Stewart was that he cared more about molding and shaping young men into men of character than he did about winning and losing. Every day of his tenure in Madison City reinforced that first impression.”

James Clemens Principal Dr. Brian Clayton has named the school’s offensive coordinator Clint Woodfin as interim athletic director and football coach.

Jackson County Superintendent Dr. John Greene recruited and hired Stewart. Madison City Schools originally hired Greene as James Clemens principal. However, Greene resigned in May 2012 after working less than one year in Madison and before the new high school opened.

Both Stewart and Greene had worked in Georgia schools before their brief stints in Madison.

Clayton said Stewart “is what you want in a football coach … one that provides leadership and mentoring for his players. He’s an outstanding leader. He will be missed.”

“We’re a little sad we won’t be able to follow through and see the full fruits of our work,” Stewart said.

Stewart will start to work in Georgia on Feb. 1. Clayton will begin interviewing replacement candidates in upcoming weeks.