Former Lee Montgomery and Georgia football star Larry Ware has been named athletic director at St. James School in Montgomery.
The school announced this morning. Ware will continue to serve as the school's girls basketball and volleyball coach, replacing Katie Barton.
“Coach Ware is a proven leader of character who understands what it means to be a St. James Trojan and part of a school family that supports us.” said school principal Dr. Larry McLemore in a release. “He lives the Trojans' core values of character, dedication, courage and community in everything he does and will provide strong leadership to the St. James Athletics Department. I am confident that he will continue to improve our athletic program and advance our school in many ways, and I look forward to working with him in this endeavor.”
Ware joined the St. James staff in 2012. He has served as assistant football coach and head track coach. His teaching career continued at Capitol Heights Middle School until 2017 when he moved to a full-time position with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry.
“I love being part of the St. James School family and my 'why' aligns with the school's vision, which focuses on character, dedication, courage and community.” said in a school release. “I believe that we all agree that character is your first quality, and when we ask for it, God gives us the opportunity to be courageous. Doing something requires determination to see it through, and community is the vessel that makes something worthwhile.”
Ware played running back at Lee Montgomery University and won the state Mr. Football award in 1986. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Cottonwood High School in 1994, after which he became a star athlete at the University of Georgia. He was an assistant at Jefferson Davis (now JAG) and took his first head coaching job at Carver-Montgomery in 2002.
He led the Wolverines for six years until Lee/Percy Julian returned as head coach. He led the team for four years. In his new role, Mr. Ware will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of St. James' athletic department.
“STJ has a strong reputation as one of the best schools and athletic programs in the state,” he said. “I am committed to helping our student-athletes excel in the classroom while growing physically, mentally and socially on and off the field and court.”
