The athletic department at Columbus Municipal School District is getting a makeover.
Rusty Greene will step down as the district’s athletic director but continue to serve as an assistant principal at Columbus High School. To fill the void at athletic director, superintendent Dr. Philip Hickman told The Dispatch this morning that CMSD is staying within its own ranks. He said after a meeting held with all the coaches, two stepped forward, willing to change roles.
Boy’s soccer coach Ben Moore is leaving the pitch to take over as interim athletic director, Hickman said. Moore will be assisted by Columbus boy’s basketball coach Sammy Smith, who will no longer serve as the Falcons basketball coach, Hickman said.
Smith’s new title — interim athletic supervisor of community relations — charges him with helping the athletics program grow through relationships. Smith will also serve as interim assistant athletics director.
“He’s been a dedicated coach for 19 years,” Hickman said. “He’s been a big part of our community and we think his ties will help him succeed in this role.”
Both Smith and Moore will continue teaching at Columbus High School.
Although both may carry an interim title, Hickman said the plan is for them to fill the athletic director post in the long-term. Hickman said the first task is finding quality coaches to take over the soccer and basketball programs and lead them to championships.
The changes within the athletic department are pending approval by the CMSD board of trustees.
Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino contributed to this report.
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