James Clemens names new girls basketball coach

From left, Brian Clayton, Amber Deline and Eric Terrell. Contributed/John Peck

By Nick Sellers | Staff Reporter

Former Oneonta High School girls basketball coach Amber Deline was officially named to the same position at James Clemens by Madison City Schools Superintendent Dee Fowler at press conference Friday morning.

Deline will succeed previous coach Jeff Dunnavant, who led the Jets in the first two years of the school’s existence. Dunnavant will be retained as an English teacher with the school.

James Clemens principal Brian Clayton and athletic director Eric Terrell were also on hand to welcome Deline to Madison.

“We’re very excited about having Amber Deline at James Clemens,” Terrell said, adding that he and Deline grew up not far from each other in their youth.

Deline holds a bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from the University of North Alabama and a master’s in Education from the University of Montevallo. In 2003, her final year at North Alabama, Deline set the school record for career points as a member of the Lions women’s basketball team.

It was at Oneonta, after stints as assistant coach at Montevallo and Samford University, where Deline turned heads.

After taking over the program in 2008 and setting the school record in 2012 for most wins in a season, with 34, Deline led Oneonta to consecutive state 4A titles in 2013 and 2014. She was also named 4A Coach of the Year by Alabama sports writers in 2013.

“James Clemens has great resources to excel and grow with the women’s basketball program,” Deline said.

Deline also developed Destiny Elliott, the 2013 and 2014 4A girls basketball player of the year in Alabama.

Terrell added that information on tryouts for the 2014-15 season will be distributed shortly on James Clemens’ website for those interested.