Blaine Hathcock has been tabbed as the new principal at Demopolis Middle School and will also serve as the system’s director of transportation.

Hathcock comes to Demopolis from Haleyville Middle School where he has served as assistant principal the past three years.

Hathcock holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in School Administration from the University of North Alabama.

“After all the years in coaching, and having been an assistant administrator, moving to a principalship is exciting,” he said. “Demopolis is a great place to live and a great place to raise a family.”

Hathcock comes from a family of educators. His mother is a retired teacher and his father serves as superintendent of education for Pell City Schools.

Demopolis Superintendent of Education Dr. Al Griffin said Hathcock’s most important assignment would be leading the Demopolis Middle Schoolers down the road of success, along with guiding the school’s teachers.

“I need him to be, first and foremost, the chief instruction leader of that school,” Griffin said. “I need him to work with and through all of his employees, the parents and the community and to meet the needs of students at DMS.”

Griffin noted DMS poses a unique challenge as it is the final stop before the students enter the last stages of education. As such, Griffin said Hathcock’s experience with middle schoolers made him a good fit for Demopolis.

“That is the third leg in the four legged race to graduate high school,” he said. “All ages, all levels of instruction, are important but I know how critical that (age group) is.”

In an 18 year career, Hathcock – a native of Fayette County – has served as a head football and basketball coach, an athletic director, teacher and worked with transportation and other areas of administration at Pell City, Haleyville, W.S. Neal and Lee County.

Hathcock and his wife, Ali, have been married 12 years and have three children: Abbie, 8, Lizzie, 5, and Caroline, 2.

He was selected for the job among 20 applicants for the position, with four being called for an interview and three traveling to Demopolis for a formal interview.