Jeff Wilson isn’t certain what he’ll do next, where life will lead him once his 29-year tenure with Polk County Schools ends next week.
What he is sure of, though, is what he won’t be doing – having any regrets about his decision to retire as Polk County High School’s athletic director.
“I feel great about the decision,” Wilson said earlier this week as he prepared to begin cleaning out his office. “When I prayed it through I got a real clear message in my heart that it was time to retire. I’ve never wavered on that.
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“I’ve loved what I’ve done for 29 years. I’ve loved every role I’ve had – teacher, coach, director of athletics. It was really good for me and something I really enjoyed.”
Wilson reception
Polk County Schools will honor Jeff Wilson with a drop-in reception on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the Polk County High School gym. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.
For perspective on Wilson’s impact at Polk County, think about this – he’s been in charge of the school’s athletic program for half of its 26-year existence. Those 13 years followed 16 seasons in various teaching and coaching roles, including leading the softball, baseball and football programs, which in turn followed his time as a Polk County Schools student, including his graduation from Polk Central High School.
It’s not quite the career Wilson envisioned when he graduated from Western Carolina University and had the opportunity to return to Polk County.
It proved much better.
“I was very small-minded. I desired to get into education and be a good classroom teacher and help coach some teams,” Wilson said. “During my student teaching I found out how hard it was to get promoted. For me to get promoted to be head football coach and head softball coach and then director for our county was stuff I never envisioned when I started.
“(Former Polk County Schools superintendent) Susan McHugh helped give me a vision, and (current superintendent) Bill Miller helped make it a reality.”
During Wilson’s time as athletic director, the Wolverines won numerous conference and regional titles as well as two state soccer championships, finished in the top five statewide four times in the Wells Fargo Cup, which rewards overall athletic program excellence, and produced numerous college signees. Wilson fondly remembers all of those, but takes more satisfaction in what he did on the people side of the job.
“I’m proud of relationships with people,” Wilson said. “I cared about my PE kids, my alternative school kids, the kids I coached, the kids as director of athletics that I got to know in that capacity. And all the people in this building that worked with me. Plus the relationships with opponents and officials and the media. I’m proud of those relationships.
“I’m proud of the facility growth, the quote, unquote minor sports, the focus on the girls programs. In those 13 years as an AD, Polk County has climbed in notoriety. I give (former head football coach Bruce) Ollis a lot of credit for that, for putting Polk County’s name on the map. We’ve had a lot of track success. We’ve been able to maintain the same baseball coach (Ty Stott) who has won a lot of conference championships. Jamie Thompson has been under the radar as an assistant coach and wrestling coach and now head football coach. He’s had a big impact on my 13 years as an AD. I think he has a lot to offer Polk County. We’ve had stability in a lot of key positions.”
Wilson has also provided stability, bringing years of institutional knowledge to Polk County’s athletic department. He also recently served as president of the Western Highlands Conference and served as an advocate for the school and its athletes at league meetings. Wilson will miss those roles as well as the school system that he’s called home for most of his life, though he currently plans to retain at least a partial connection in remaining the school’s softball coach.
“I’ve been here as a student, as an athlete, as a classroom teacher, head football coach, head baseball coach, head softball coach and athletic director, and it does make it harder because of the roles I’ve had,” Wilson said. “It’s never easy to leave something you love, but I feel like I’m leaving it in great shape.
“I want to say thank you to everybody for the opportunity I had as a teacher and a coach and eventually as director. I feel very blessed by God to have been able to do this. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’ve had a great run.”
