Major Coaching Changes At James Clemens

MADISON- There are changes among the diamonds and hardwoods at James Clemens High.

Head baseball coach Cory Hamrick, head softball coach Travis Barnes and girls basketball head coach Amber Deline are out of the Jets’ programs and the search for their replacements is underway by school administration.

Hamrick made his decision to resign after nearly a year discussion with his wife, Marlena, as her hometown is Columbiana, Ala. located in Shelby County. Hamrick is from the nearby city of Jasper and both of their entire families live within a country shout of one another. They have two children ages four and two and feel they wanted to be near their large family in Shelby County.

“We prayed about this opportunity and this is the best move for our family,” said Hamrick, 38, who was at the helm of the James Clemens program for just two years. “I love everything about the James Clemens community and making the decision to make the move was a very difficult day for me. I’m taking over a program that was 6-22 last season, so the challenge is there.”

In a surprise move softball coach Travis Barnes was not renewed and will not return. Barnes was selected from a large field of applicants to take over after a wide search two years ago to replace AJ Daugherty.

The move out of James Clemens was a surprise for Barnes as his position as a science teacher was not renewed for next school year, thus the coaching position had to match his school teaching job. His termination came on the last day of school.

“I took the news hard as we had two good seasons under my tenure as head softball coach at James Clemens as even posted a 29-17 record this past season,” said Barnes, who was 69-37 over two seasons. “I want to thank all of the girls on my two teams as their parents as together they all helped me. I’m currently searching for a new teaching and coaching position.”

Barnes and his wife, Amy, have two young children and he came to James Clemens from Athens High where he established a superb program in three years with the Golden Eagles.

Deline, who just completed her fourth season as leader of the Lady Jets basketball team, decided to step down from her position. She was unavailable for comment.