In what is a new role and opportunity for Newton County Schools (NCS), Carl Green will serve as the first District Athletic Director.

NCS announced the hire on Aug. 28. One week in, Green shared how the start has been for him in his new position.

“Everyone has been warm and welcoming and it has been a good feeling,” Green said. “Coming in as a new district AD that no one has ever seen, it has been one of those things where you are a little nervous because you don’t know their expectations of you but the reception has been warm and welcoming. Right now, I am trying to hit the ground running and to get some work done.”

In his new role, Green will work alongside elementary, middle and high schools in the district along with their respective athletic directors in order to elevate athletics within the county.

The athletic director role is nothing new to Green, who has served in that role in many different capacities.

“I’ve been an athletic director now for almost 18 years,” Green said. “I started out at Hapeville Charter Career Academy. I built that program and was there for eight years. I went to Westlake High School, and I was there for six years. Then I became the AP/AD and Sandy Creek High School last year.”

Along with being in the athletic director seat, Green has spent time as a coach, too.

Green served as both an assistant and head coach during his time at Hapeville Charter along with being an assistant at Creekside High School.

The most recent position for Green was at Sandy Creek High School.

After years of working as an athletic director along with his coaching experience, Green shared how his former roles have prepared him to be an athletic director on a bigger scale.

“I started out an athletic program from scratch at Hapeville Charter — no facilities or anything,” Green said. “ I have been a coach and even a head coach at the Charter school as well. When I went to Westlake in a bigger role, my teams had success. My girls basketball team is the only school in Georgia that has won a National Championship. Dealing with large programs — Westlake being a very large classification like Newton High is — I have dealt with so many layers in regards to people and coaches and communities and all. 

“I stepped into the role of assistant principal/athletic director at Sandy Creek where I did dual roles. All of those schools have had their own sets of successes and some challenges that have helped me prepare. I think I went from a small school, to a large school and then back to a medium size school.”

Throughout his career, Green has attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Bachelor of Science in Administration and Management), the University of Georgia (Special Education Certification), Argosy University (Master of Business Administration) and the University of West Georgia (Educational Leadership).

Prior to taking his new position, Green had been familiar with Newton County athletics as many of his former schools and teams have competed against the likes of Alcovy, Eastside and Newton.

In particular, Green remembers seeing the Lady Rams basketball team on the biggest stage and the impression it left on him.

“When I was at Westlake, we played Newton in football and basketball. As a matter of fact, the first girls’ [basketball] championship at Westlake we actually played Newton for the championship at Georgia Tech,” Green said. “I knew Newton in general had a large athletic prowess, very good athletes and a large fanbase. I knew Newton was a district that produced athletes and I wanted to build from that. I am excited to move into a district that is progressing. It still has the small hometown feel but wants to progress and provide the best for the athletes and coaches.”

After years of experience in high school athletics, Green layed out what he feels is necessary to establish county-wide success.

“Support is No. 1,” Green said. “Support the schools and serve and lead. No. 2 is making sure you have the student-athlete's best interests and making sure the coach's best interest in regards to providing the absolute best that you can. Whether it is facilities [or] support as far as playing or transportation. Making sure everyone has state-of-the-art in everything they need.”

In his first year, ensuring each program is on the same page with the same goals in mind is key for Green.

Furthermore, Green wants to take the brand of Newton County athletics and spread the word to more people.

“Year one I just want to make sure we are following a standard of system processes,” Green said. “Secondly, just making sure the coaches know I am here to support them. I am here to enhance the things that have been done. I want Newton to be well represented across the state of Georgia. People know about Newton’s district and the schools, but just on a larger scale across the state and across the nation. I just want us to get our system of processes where people want to move and have their kids be a part of these programs.”

For Green, this role and his reason to take it boiled down to his passion for athletics.

“My ‘why’ is simple,” Green said. “I like to help the student-athletes and coaches and lead through athletics. I have a passion for athletics. I have a story where I was an athlete and I matriculated and there were some challenges I was unable to finish in regards to athletics but I used that perseverance in athletics to where I can have a successful life. I want to encourage the young men and young women to be their best. My ‘why’ is simply seeing the success of student athletes when they come in from middle school-high school level where they want to be athletes and just growing that. To see these young men and women where they go on to get a college education and go on to be successful citizens. That is my ‘why.’”