Principal Mel Brown named Jim Carter as the new baseball coach at Mt. Juliet High School Thursday, replacing Mark Purvis who resigned in mid-June.

Carter, son of former TSSAA Executive Director Ronnie Carter, has been a head baseball coach for the past 14 seasons -- most recently at Davidson Academy. He also coached at Hunters Lane and Jackson Christian -- taking all three programs to the state tournament a combined five times. His 2000 and 2008 teams were state runner-up, and he had third place finishes in 2003 and 2009.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Mt. Juliet community and the baseball program," Carter said.

"Coach Purvis has done an outstanding job and has built a great program. I feel very fortunate and blessed that Mr. Brown has given me this opportunity. I have known Mr. Brown for a long time and am excited about the chance to work for him." 

Carter has compiled a won-loss record of 347-210 for a .623 winning percentage. He steps into one of the top Class AAA baseball programs in the state as the Golden Bears are coming off seven consecutive District 9AAA championships and four straight Region 5AAA titles.

Carter earned his B.S. and M.Ed. from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson. He teaches Mathematics and is expected to fill the Algebra II position vacated at MJHS upon the departure of assistant basketball coach Doug Keil. The former Lebanon High head coach recently took the head coaching job at Glencliff High.

While at Davidson Academy, Carter also served as an assistant athletic director and golf coach. His girls’ golf teams captured state championships in 2007 and 2008.

He and his wife, Heather, have a son, Cole (10), and a daughter, Rylee (6).

TOMMY BRYAN / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it