Wheeler Named Athletic Director
![Wheeler Named Athletic Director]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712760171/jacksonschoolsgaorg/e8ova8mlh4s8ph9xvyho/DirectorofAthletics.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712760171/jacksonschoolsgaorg/e8ova8mlh4s8ph9xvyho/DirectorofAthletics.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1712760171/jacksonschoolsgaorg/e8ova8mlh4s8ph9xvyho/DirectorofAthletics.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1712760171/jacksonschoolsgaorg/e8ova8mlh4s8ph9xvyho/DirectorofAthletics.png","width":1080}])
Wesley Wheeler has been named the new athletic director at East Jackson Comprehensive High School, following approval from the Board of Education on Thursday night. Wheeler will replace current athletic director Shawn Lindsey, who is moving into a full-time assistant principal position at the school.
“It is a great honor that we welcome Coach Wheeler as our new athletic director,” EJCHS principal Dr. Matt Stratemeyer said. “Coach Wheeler has the respect of our coaches, our staff, administration and community and I have the utmost trust that he will do an exceptional job in his new role. Coach Wheeler is the epitome of Blue Pride. I look forward to supporting him as we build East Jackson athletics into top-tier programs.”
Wheeler is a Jackson County native, and has served in the East Jackson community in various educational positions since 2006. Wheeler first began as a special education teacher at East Jackson Middle School, serving there until 2015, when he moved to the physical education department at East Jackson Comprehensive High School. During his time at EJCHS, Wheeler has coached football and track and field, while assisting Lindsey in athletic department duties.
“This is a dream come true,” Wheeler said. “I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to serve our East Jackson community as the athletic director. I look forward to working with our coaches, school and district administration in continuing to build East Jackson athletics into premiere programs. My goal is to ensure we keep the momentum moving forward and push our student athletes to succeed on the field, court and track, but also in the classroom.”
Wheeler was named the EJCHS Teacher of the Year in 2022 and was a finalist for the award in 2019. Wheeler graduated from Jackson County Comprehensive High School in 1999, earning a full athletic scholarship in football to Elon University. He was named to the Jackson County High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
“This is a dream come true,” Wheeler said. “I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to serve our East Jackson community as the athletic director. I look forward to working with our coaches, school and district administration in continuing to build East Jackson athletics into premiere programs. My goal is to ensure we keep the momentum moving forward and push our student athletes to succeed on the field, court and track, but also in the classroom.”
Wheeler graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services in 2005, earned his teaching certification from Piedmont University in 2010. He will graduate from Valdosta State University with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2025.
Wheeler and his wife, Ashley, who is the media specialist at East Jackson Elementary School, have two children and reside in the East Jackson community.