Russellville turns to former Mars Hill coach Jim South to lead varsity boys basketball program

Russellville High School has a new boys varsity basketball coach after the Russellville City Schools Board of Education hired Jim South at a special called meeting March 25th.

South replaces Patrick Odom, who resigned from coaching earlier this month.

In addition to his coaching duties, South will teach math at Russellville High School.

As was the case with the hiring of new Golden Tigers’ varsity football coach Darrell Higgins, South has a Mars Hill connection as he led the Panther boys’ varsity basketball program for six seasons.

South resigned from Mars Hill after the 2023 school year, moved to 
Sheffield and joined the Sheffield High School faculty as a math teacher. South returned to coaching in 2024, leading the Bulldogs’ boys varsity basketball team the past two seasons. He will complete the school year at Sheffield before coming to Russellville full-times effective June 1, 2026.

South’s tenure at Mars Hill included sub-regional appearances each of his six seasons, with an appearance in the Class 2A state championship game in 2022 and a Final Four appearance the following season.

The Panthers were area champions in three of his six seasons.

South’s two years at Sheffield saw the Bulldogs finish 3-3 each season in Class 3A Area 15 play with an overall record of 16-26.

His extensive 24-year coaching resume also includes a 12-year run at Colbert County High School, where he coached both girls’ and boys’ varsity teams as well as the junior high boys’ team.

For South, accepting the Russellville job was an easy decision after his interview and tour of the campus last week.

“I met with Coach Higgins, Col. (Norman) Lier (RHS Principal) and once you see all the great things going on here, this is the place I wanted to be,” South said Wednesday after the board meeting. “I’m excited for the opportunity to build on Russellville High School’s great tradition in basketball and giving our players and coaches the opportunity to continue that legacy is going to be great.

“I was just blown away coming down here and we will work every day to make our community proud of its basketball program. I want to thank the administration and Coach Higgins for this opportunity,” South added.

South’s teams are known for their up tempo offensive style, combined with the ability to adapt to what the defense they’re facing gives you.

Russellville City Schools Superintendent of Education Tim Guinn said South’s resume, including extensive post-season success, along with his character, made him an ideal selection for the position.

“We are very pleased to introduce Coach South as our selection to lead our boys’ varsity basketball program. He’s a proven winner and the type of person we set out to hire when the position opened earlier this month,” Guinn said.

Other personnel actions approved by the board at the March 25th meeting included:

—accepting the resignation of Rebecca Green, JROTC instructor, effective April 10, 2026, and approving personal leave for Russellville Elementary School teacher Amy Hall from April 6-May 22, 2026.