Selma High looks for new head football coach after resignation of Leon Day

Selma City Schools is looking for a new head football coach for Selma High School.

Coach Leon Day, who coached two seasons, resigned from the position in early December and officials are looking to “hire big” to get an experienced coach that can make an “immediate impact” on the football team, said Martina West, interim athletic director at Selma High.

“Interest is high for the job,” she said. “We are hoping to make a big hire to really enhance the culture of football at Selma High.”

Selma High had a 4-5 losing season for 2024. The team showed promise with three solid wins to start the season, but their record went downhill when the team lost five of the last six games and finished near the bottom of 5A Region 3 rankings.

As the only 5A team in Dallas County, West said they need to compete with other 5A teams across the state like Demopolis, Northridge and Sipsey.

Selma schools also want the new coach to get more players on the field for experience and to help the athletes get scholarships to play at college, she said, and “to win.”

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“Football is one way to bring the school and community together,” West said. “The right hire could change the culture in the school and enhance and reignite the community.”

Leon Day will continue teaching PE courses until at least the end of the year. 

“Coach Day has been a vital part of the success and culture-building at Selma High School, and we cannot thank him enough for his hard work and dedication. He has positively impacted the lives of our students, and we wish him nothing but success in his future pursuits," West said.

Selma High School Principal Dr. Kesia Smith expressed her appreciation.

"Coach Day’s leadership extended far beyond the playing field,” she said in a statement. “He was not only a coach, but also a mentor and motivator to our athletes. We are deeply grateful for the dedication he showed in fostering both the personal and athletic growth of our students. His departure will undoubtedly be felt by all, as he leaves a lasting impact on our school community."