Saint James names new athletic director

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Saint James School has named Larry Ware as its next athletic director.

Ware is a 30-year coaching veteran, having spent over 10 of those years as an assistant football coach at Saint James. In addition to his role as AD, he will continue as an assistant football coach.

“I love being part of the Saint James School family, and my ‘why’ is aligned with the school’s vision and focus on character, commitment, courage, and community. I believe character is the first quality anyone will recognize about you, and when we ask for it, God grants us opportunities to become courageous. To do anything you believe in, you must be committed to seeing it through, and community is the vessel that makes anything worthwhile,” Ware said. “STJ has a strong reputation as one of the best schools and athletic programs in the state. I am committed to helping our student-athletes achieve excellence in the classroom while developing physically, mentally, and socially on and off the playing fields and courts.”

Ware played football at and graduated from the University of Georgia.

He began his career as a coach and teacher in 1994 at Cottonwood. In 1996, he joined the staff at Jeff Davis HS, now known as JAG High School, in Montgomery as assistant football coach and offensive coordinator, head track coach, and a career tech teacher.

He’s also been both the head football coach and head track coach at Carver. He was AD and head football coach at Lee, now known as Percy Julian HS, from 2008 to 2012. He then became head track coach and joined the football coaching staff at Saint James. He was a teacher at Capitol Heights until 2017.

“Coach Ware is a proven leader of character who understands what it means to be a Saint James Trojan and to be part of our supportive school family,” said Head of School Dr. Larry McLemore. “He lives out our Trojan core values of character, commitment, courage, and community in all he does and will provide strong leadership for Saint James athletics. I am confident he will continue to elevate our athletic programs and advance our school in many ways, and I look forward to working alongside him in this endeavor.”

Ware currently serves as a deputy commissioner and agriculture marketing specialist at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. He and his wife, Pamela, have two adult children, son Jarvis and daughter Lauryn.

Outgoing AD Katie Barton will remain at Saint James, returning to teaching and continuing as head girls basketball coach and head volleyball coach.

Ware will take over as AD effective May 1.

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