After a year and a half on active duty in the Alabama National Guard, Jason Massey is returning to the sidelines this year.

However, Massey won’t be returning to Leroy.

The veteran coach has been approved as the next head football coach at Clarke County High. He will start in June after finishing his active duty later this month.

“I’m excited,” Massey told AL.com on Wednesday. “Change is always difficult but sometimes it can lead to growth for you as an individual. Hopefully, I can maintain the success they’ve had lately and possibly even improve on it.”

Massey was approved earlier this week by the Clarke County Board of Education. He replaces Rob Carter, who was arrested in February and charged with multiple crimes involving a student at the high school.

In September of 2023, Massey announced he would not be able to finish the football season as Leroy’s head coach due to his being deployed. Chad Lowe took over for him and led the Bears to their second straight Class 1A state title. Until recently, Massey planned to return to Leroy as head coach next month.

“I was not looking to leave,” he said. “I was involved with Leroy as much as I could while I was away as far as helping with game plans and studying films. But Clarke County contacted me. I had a previous relationship with coach (Chris) Young, the principal. It is just a different opportunity.”

This will be Massey’s second tenure as head coach at Clarke County. He led the Bulldogs to a 10-11 record in 2011 and 2012 before leaving to take the Leroy job. He coached the Bears for 10 full seasons, accumulating an 83-41 record and taking the team to the playoffs eight times.

His 2017 team went 12-3 and played in the Class 2A title game. His 2022 team went 13-1 and won the 1A state title.

“I can’t wait to be back,” he said. “There is nothing like being on the sidelines on Friday nights.”

Clarke County is scheduled to host Massey’s former school on Aug. 29.