Shelby County Public Schools has announced a significant step in reorganizing its athletics departments by hiring two Executive Athletic Directors. Kate Tucker will oversee athletics on the MLCHS side of the district, while Powell Miller will lead efforts on the SCHS side. In their roles as Executive Athletics Directors, Mr. Miller, and Mrs.Tucker will manage all aspects of athletics in their respective regions. Their responsibilities will include overseeing athletic budgets, evaluating coaches, and supporting middle school athletic directors in the hiring process. They will support athletic feeder programs unique to each school.
This Executive Leadership Model has been successful in our district. Mike Clark, Director of Student Services, explained, “This is the approach we took years ago, and we were very successful in athletics across the district. Both Martha Layne Collins High School and Shelby County High School have a rich tradition in athletics, and Dr. Matthews and I want to see our programs thrive and compete at the state level. This approach ensures the oversight of critical aspects necessary to build outstanding programs and create exciting opportunities for all. As Executive Athletics Directors, both Kate Tucker and Powell Miller are well respected proven leaders committed to ensuring high-quality experiences for our student-athletes.”
Superintendent Dr. Joshua Matthews also expressed his enthusiasm for the new direction: “We have two highly skilled individuals in Mrs. Tucker and Mr. Miller who can lead significant change. They will work closely with our principals and Mr. Clark to ensure programs have the support and resources needed to compete. I’ve made it clear that empowering our leaders to respond to the specific needs of their schools is critical. There’s rarely a one-size-fits-all model in education or athletics.”
Dr. Matthews emphasized that this restructuring aligns with the district’s broader mission: “Whether it’s academics, athletics, or co-curricular programs, our top priority is giving students the opportunity and tools they need to succeed. This reorganization is just the beginning of what we believe will have a lasting, positive impact on student success.”
The district anticipates this new structure will strengthen athletic programs across all grade levels and foster a culture of excellence and opportunity throughout Shelby County.