BY D. MARK MITCHELL AND MICHELLE KEY / PUBLISHER
The Opelika City School’s Board of Education voted to hire Jamie Williams as its new athletic director during Tuesday’s board meeting.
The hiring of a new AD came as a surprise, as it had not been released publicly that part-time Athletic Director Mike Pugh was leaving.
Williams is no stranger to the Opelika school System.
In 2017, then head football coach Caleb Ross hired Williams as an assistant football coach for one season. After Ross resigned to accept the head football job at Prattville, Williams took a coaching job at Smiths Station.
Williams brings 24 years of experience working in high school athletics to Opelika, including stints at Eufaula, Auburn, Oak Mountain, Gulf Shores (head coach/AD), Opelika and Smiths Station.
Williams is from Union Springs and received his bachelor degree and masters from Auburn University. He also received a Masters from Arkansas State University.
In a press release from OCS, Opelika High School Principal Dr. Ferrell Seymore welcomed Williams.
“We welcome Jamie Williams as our new athletic director,” Seymore said. “His experience as a veteran teacher, coach and administrator will be an asset as we transition this job into a full time position. His strong record of integrity and building relationships will add to our rich athletic tradition.”
Williams expressed his thanks to OCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Neighbors and the entire school and was quoted in the press release.
“I want to thank Dr. Neighbors, the school board and the administration for giving me the opportunity to serve as athletic director; an opportunity that I am humbled, honored and grateful for,” Williams said. “This is truly an answered prayer. I am committed to uphold the athletic tradition, standards and character that Opelika stands for. My family and I look forward to seeing you in the stands, on the fields/courts and in the classroom. Go Dawgs!”
Williams and his wife Marki have three children, ages 8, 5 and 4.
There was no mention when Williams will start the new job.