Long Beach head coach Forrest Williams talks to a referee during the second quarter of their game against Pass Christian on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Long Beach announced Monday that Williams has been removed as athletic director and football coach but will remain with the district as assistant principal at LBHS. John Fitzhugh jcfitzhugh@sunherald.com file

The Long Beach School District announced Monday that its athletics department is set to undergo a major transition.

According to a release, Forrest Williams is set to leave his positions as football coach and athletic director to take an assistant principal role at Long Beach High School. The transition will take effect July 1.

“We look forward to working with him as he begins this new phase of his administrative career,” Long Beach said in the release, adding that the district appreciated the “stability” and “dedication” Williams brought to his jobs.

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The news comes on the heels of Long Beach’s most successful football season since 2011. In four seasons under Williams’ guidance, the Bearcats were 14-31, but posted a 6-5 mark in 2017.

I’m proud of what we were able to build at Long Beach, from being everyone’s homecoming to being competitive this year,” Williams told the Sun Herald. “It was the result of a lot of hard work from our kids and dedication from our coaching staff.”

Williams won a state championship at St. Stanislaus, coaching the Rockachaws from 2008-10, before leaving to lead Madison-Ridgeland Academy from 2011-13.

Williams said he wouldn’t rule out a return to coaching if the right situation presents itself.

New AD

Williams’ replacement as AD has already been determined as former basketball coach Terry D’Angelo, who will take over the position.

“Ms. D’Angelo has strong ties to our athletic program as she once served the Bearcat Nation in this same role and as the LBHS head varsity girls’ basketball coach,” the release said.

D’Angelo was approved by the school district’s board of trustees Jan. 16.

A search for Long Beach’s next football coach will begin immediately.

 

Patrick Ochs: 228-896-2321, @PatrickOchs

This story was originally published January 22, 2018 3:34 PM.