New director leads athletics
When a new semester started at Greenbrier High School on Thursday, the era of Garrett Black as athletic director also began.
//
During winter break, Black was promoted from assistant athletic director to the helm of the school's entire athletic department, Principal Margie Hamilton said.
"I'm excited about it," Black said. "The biggest thing is that it's a great school and we've got a super group of coaches I really respect a lot. They're hard workers."
Black's track record prompted his promotion, Hamilton said.
In 11 years at Greenbrier, the girls basketball and softball coach, has led teams to numerous playoff appearances and a state softball championship in 2004.
Before coming to Greenbrier when the school opened in 1996, Black led the baseball team of Thomas Jefferson Academy to a state championship.
"I'm sure they don't start out winning," school board Chairwoman Regina Buccafusco said. "He has the experience and what it takes to cultivate a winning team. He's a good choice."
The school board won't need to approve Black's promotion, Buccafusco said, because it's a move within the school.
Black replaces Scott Chadwick, who resigned from both that position and head football coach in December. Improper paperwork led to Chadwick's playing ineligible players on his football team, according to reports.
An investigation resulted in a $1,000 fine against the school by the Georgia High School Association, which also placed the entire athletic department on "severe status warning."
Though he intends to remain the softball coach, Black said the rigors of athletic director probably will cause him to step down as girls basketball coach.
Keeping Greenbrier's athletic staff focused on coaching, and not secondary matters, will be Black's primary responsibility, he said.
"I look at this as we're all in this together," he said. "My job is to try to help the coaches as much as possible.
"We're blessed with a great coaching staff at Greenbrier. They work extremely hard and care about the kids."