RABBITTOWN, Ga. — The East Hall girls basketball program has jumped on the coaching carousel.
After 10 seasons at the helm of the Lady Vikings, Justin Wheeler resigned on Friday and will assist boys coach Joe Dix next season.
"Stepping down was a tough decision," Wheeler said. "We have had some greats years and were able to make some great runs -- this past year being one of them. I’m proud of the toughness we played with, and the culture that we were able to create. I think the timing is right for me move to the boys side and have an impact on it."
Wheeler assisted Dix this season, along with his head coaching duties.
East Hall athletic director Adam Rich said Wheeler wants to focus on coaching boys basketball.
"Those are the aspirations he has now," Rich said. "He's going to work with coach Dix. We hate it, but we also love him and know he's a heck of a coach. You hate losing someone as good as coach Wheeler, but the good news is that he's going to work with our boys, giving the same quality of coaching that he's given the girls all these years."
The Lady Vikings, who finished the 2022-23 campaign 11-19, dealt with injuries for most of last season but knocked off Cherokee Bluff and Walnut Grove to make the Class 4A state tournament.
Wheeler ends his career with the Lady Vikings with a record of 144-132 and six playoff appearances, including a Final Four run in 2015.
Rich said the search for a new girls coach would begin immediately.
