Monday night, the Anna-Jonesboro District 81 Board of Education did something they haven’t had to do in 27 years – name a new football coach.  Longtime assistant Jamie Yates was named the successor to Brett Detering.

Yates, who was a player for the A-J Wildcats when Detering took over in 1997, was brought on as an assistant in 2011 under Detering; he’s run the 7th & 8th grade program in the past as well.  He was also an assistant under Mike Rude at Vienna for one season.

“I’m well aware of the legacy that Coach D has established and I’m extremely humbled and proud to follow in his footsteeps,” Yates said.  “I want to say thank you to him, the AJCHS school board, and the many people that have supported me through this process.”

Yates replaces Detering who put together a record of 174-107 in his 27 seasons.