Board approves new VHHS athletic director

Vestavia Hills High School will have a new athletic director this fall. The Vestavia Hills Board of Education approved Jeff Segars for the position on Wednesday, May 20. Segars is currently the high school's assistant athletic director. 

Segars will take the reins from Buddy Anderson, who will return this fall for his 38th consecutive season as the school's head football coach. 

"Jeff is prepared for this job, and he's ready," Anderson said. "He has been an excellent teacher, coach, and assistant athletic director, and I'm excited for him to lead our athletic programs. I look forward to continuing as the head football coach and helping Jeff in any way I can."

Superintendent Sheila Phillips said Anderson approached her last fall to discuss the athletic director role.

"We hope to focus on athletics in a much more targeted way than we have before," said Phillips. "We feel that he is more than qualified to transition into this role."

Segars' previous positions include eighth grade social science teacher at Pizitz Middle School, district-wide assistant athletic director, VHHS assistant football coach and VHHS assistant wrestling coach.

"I would not be doing this without the blessing of Coach Anderson," Segars said. "He has raised me to become who I am, and that's important to me."