Jackson hires Martin as AD

~ The Jackson alumnus was most recently the basketball coach at Oak Ridge.

John Martin knew he eventually wanted to leave teaching and coaching for the administrative side of education.

That the transition will take him to his alma mater only adds to his excitement.

Martin was recently named the athletic director at Jackson High School, where he will also serve as assistant principal.

"I'm really excited," Martin said. "It's good to be back home."

Martin replaces Kevin Bohnert, who resigned June 26 after nearly 13 years as Jackson's athletic director and assistant principal.

Bohnert had been placed on administrative leave June 11, the same day he was charged with four misdemeanors, including driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.

Martin, a 1991 Jackson graduate, spent the past two seasons as the head basketball coach at Oak Ridge High School.

The previous five years, Martin was as an assistant basketball coach at Jackson.

Martin, a 1995 Southeast Missouri State graduate, earned a masters in education administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., as he had his eyes on an administrative opportunity.

"I was going to be heading in that direction, I just didn't know exactly when," said Martin, 35. "I've always looked into different opportunities ... I pursued this and it worked out."

Martin, who has also been head basketball coach and athletic director at Zalma High School for two years, could not be happier with how things worked out.

"It's a great opportunity for me and my family," said Martin, who begins his new position July 26. "I'm excited to be a part of the Jackson High School athletic family again.

"They have a great athletic and academic tradition, and I'm looking forward to being a part of it again."

Martin and his wife Keely have two boys ages 4 and 8, and a girl age 2.

Baseball coach hired

Jackson has also filled its vacant baseball coaching position as Rob French was promoted from assistant.

French worked under Rex Crosnoe during all four of Crosnoe's seasons in charge of Jackson baseball.

Crosnoe recently left Jackson to become assistant principal at Cape Girardeau Middle School.