Clayton High School has selected Jimmy Williams to serve as the school’s new athletic director, effective July 1st.
Williams will be taking over for the school’s current athletic director, Stacey Houser, who will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Previously Williams has served as the athletic director and head football coach at West Johnston High School. Prior to arriving at West Johnston in 2011, Coach Williams coached at Leesville Road High School and at East Wake High School, where he was the head football coach for 14 seasons. Coach Williams began his career in 1993 as a football, wrestling, and track coach at Cape Fear High School.
“After six great years of serving in the athletic department at West Johnston High School, I have decided to step down from my position of head football coach and athletic director,” said Williams. “Effective July 1, 2017, I will be taking on the role of athletic director at Clayton High School. This has been a very difficult decision as I have been fortunate to work with great players, coaches, parents, and administration during my time at West Johnston. I am confident that the school’s leadership will hire great people that will continue to build on the success and vision that has been put in place by Dr. Paula Coates.”
Coach Williams is a graduate of East Carolina University. Additionally, he is a Registered Athletic Administrator and is pursuing his credentialing as a Certified Athletic Administrator. A long-time resident of Clayton, Williams and his wife Pam have two children, Kasey (a CHS graduate) and Buck.
“I certainly appreciate the interest that was expressed by outstanding athletic administrators from across the country in our athletic director position,” said Clayton High School Principal Bennett Jones. “After interviewing six finalists, it was apparent that Coach Jimmy Williams is the right person to lead the Clayton athletics program.”
Jones added that Coach Williams is bringing a wealth of experience with him, and that he has a tremendous work ethic and passion for teaching and leading both student-athletes and coaches.
“Coach Williams has strong ties to the Clayton community and his knowledge, expertise, and ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders will serve Clayton High School well,” said Jones. “We look forward to supporting Coach Williams, our coaches, and our student-athletes next year as they continue to build upon the rich traditions and history of Clayton High School athletics.”
According to Williams, he is extremely excited to join the fraternity of great coaches and athletic directors at Clayton High School.
“I look forward to working closely with the administration, coaches, athletes, and community as we work together to build on the strong tradition of Comet Athletics,” said Williams.
Houser Ends 30 Year Career
Stacey Houser had been at Clayton High for 22 years and has spent almost 30 years teaching and coaching in North Carolina. Houser has presided over the CHS athletics department since 2013. In his three full years, the Comets won the Greater Neuse River Conference Wells Fargo Cup in 2014-15 and finished second in both 2013-14 and 2015-16.
Coach Houser has served as the head baseball coach at Clayton High School since 2004, winning four conference championships and coach-of-the year awards. In addition, Coach Houser has coached dozens of players who have played at the collegiate level and coached several players who are currently playing professional baseball, including Tampa Bay Rays and Team USA star Chris Archer.
Early in his tenure at CHS, Houser also served as the defensive coordinator for Coach Gary Fowler’s football program. Prior to his arrival at Clayton, Coach Houser coached football and baseball at Franklinton High School.
“I got to know Coach Houser in 2001 when I was coaching at a different school and even then, I knew that Coach Houser was a great coach,” said Clayton High Principal Bennett Jones. “He was one of the first people to welcome me to CHS when I came here to teach and coach in 2002, and we became good friends during our time coaching together. I am honored to have been able to work with him in his last year as his assistance, leadership, and teamwork have made my job so much easier.”
Jones added that the school is looking forward to celebrating Coach Houser’s service to CHS during the remainder of this school year.
“I know I speak for all of those in Comet Country when I say thank you to Coach Houser for all that he has done for this school and its students,” said Jones. “We all wish him much happiness in his retirement and congratulate him on a job well done.”
