The Central-Phenix City coaching career of Carolyn Wright may have come to an end after 33 seasons when her coaching supplement was not renewed to lead the Red Devils girls basketball team this past summer. But, her coaching career is not over.

The longtime coach with the school has accepted the same position at Johnson Abernathy Graetz (J.A.G.) High in Montgomery, where she will also serve as that school’s athletics director.

J.A.G. is the former Jefferson Davis High under a new name after a move by the Montgomery County School Board.

Wright submitted her resignation on Oct. 11, to Phenix City schools superintendent Janet Sherrod. She has been released from her contract with the system as a physical education teacher and her final day was Oct. 12.

Wright was scheduled to be introduced to the J.A.G. community tonight at a Meet-n-Greet at the school.

“I wasn’t looking for another job,” Wright said. “It’s hard to leave Central High after 33 years. I love it here, but the Lord has presented me with another opportunity to coach. They have asked me to come to J.A.G. to rebuild their program. I look forward to that opportunity.

“When I came to Central, it was to rebuild its program. I am leaving after 33 years with 597 wins. I wish Central the best except when I have to play them in the future.”

J.A.G. officials contacted Wright two weeks ago to offer the positions.

Wright has continued to serve as a physical education teacher at Central after her coaching supplement was removed. Coaching positions are not tenured.

Wright, a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, became the Red Devils’ coach in 1991 and has compiled a 597-375 record – all with Central. She is a six-time coach of the year. Her teams have won 11 area titles and made four Final Four appearances. Wright was named Coach of the Year for the Bi-City area after her first season at Central.

“When I was offered the positions at J.A.G., they told me they wanted me to coach as long as I wanted to rebuild their basketball program,” she said. “They said they do not care how long it takes. They went 1-11 last season, so there is nowhere for them to go but up. When we, Central, played them last season, I saw a team with some talent, but one that lacked fundamentals. I think we can work from there to get better.”

Wright will be entering her 34th season as a head coach of girls basketball in Alabama. It is her 46th year in teaching, with 45 in Alabama and one in Georgia. She began coaching at McIntyre Junior High in Montgomery and now returns to the same school system where she began that career.

She said she and her husband, Central boys basketball coach Bobby Wright, will continue to live in the Phenix City area. She will stay with friends and family in Montgomery or Tuskegee when she is not commuting.

“We will work that out when we get started,” Wright said. “I have a sister in Tuskegee that I can stay with when I don’t want to make the trip back home or I have some friends and family in Montgomery that I can stay with. The commute will not be a big deal for me,” Wright said.

Rogetta Williams has been named as the interim coach at Central. Williams has been Wright’s assistant coach for the past 12 years. Williams also spent three seasons as a volunteer coach at Loachapoka High. She is stepping into her first head coaching position. Williams is a business teacher at Central.