Charlene Jackson out as Dougherty girls basketball coach

ALBANY — The Albany Herald has learned that longtime Dougherty High School girls basketball coach Charlene Jackson has been relieved of her coaching duties.

In addition, softball coach Ty Hayes has also been removed.

“I commend both of them for their service,” Dougherty High athletic director Jerome Register said. “But we’ve decided to move the program in a different direction.”

Jackson, who also coaches tennis, said Friday night that she was “totally side-swiped” by the decision.

“I wasn’t aware that this was about to take place,” said Jackson, who leaves Dougherty after 16 seasons. She also coached at Westover where she guided the program to a state runner-up finish.

Jackson, who said she had hoped to coach at least four more years before retiring, had considerable success during her tenure. She made the state basketball playoffs 12 out of the 16 seasons and won countless region titles.

Her team this season was rebuilding and she started several freshmen and sophomores. She said she was disappointed that she won’t be able to help develop the younger players.

“Apparently, that’s not what others had in mind,” Jackson said. “But that change is out of my control.”

Jackson said she was blessed to have helped many players on and off the court and that all but two of her players graduated on time.

“Looking back at Dougherty, we had some wonderful experiences,” she said. “ I was fortunate to have many players, male and female, to play post high school basketball. Those memories will always be a part of my life.”

Hayes, the school’s varsity softball coach, was not able to be reached for comment

Both positions have been posted on the Dougherty County School System job board and Register did not indicate a timetable for naming a new coach.