Harvey had 8-21 record in 3 seasons leading Wildcats
The next time the Columbia Wildcats step onto Walter Payton Field it will be under the direction of a new face of the program.
Third-year head coach James Harvey informed his players of his resignation Monday and confirmed the news Tuesday.
“I just think it’s time for the program to be under different leadership, and I think it’s time for me to go in a different direction in my own life. I’ve been coaching for the last 10 years at Columbia. It was 10 great years, and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “These last few years have been tough, and I just think it’s mutually beneficial for both of us — there will be a new face directing the program and I will go out and explore some different options with my career.”
Harvey compiled an 8-21 record in three seasons as head coach with one playoff appearance and finished the 2017 season with a 3-7 record after a 2-0 start. Harvey spent seven years as an assistant coach at Columbia before becoming the first black head football coach in the school’s history.
Harvey was selected as the 2015 Columbia School District Teacher of the Year and is a graduate of Columbia High School. He was a member of the Wildcats’ 1982 state championship team before continuing his playing career at Jackson State. He then played for the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, starting three games for the Chiefs in 1987.
Columbia School District Superintendent Jason Harris said he appreciates Harvey’s work during his tenure and will begin immediately on filling the now-vacant position.
“I would like to thank coach Harvey for his three years of service as head football coach on behalf of the Columbia School District,” he said. “I appreciate all the time and effort he put into our football program and wish him well. We’re actively seeking applications, and we’re going to look to find the best quality coach that fits our needs here at Columbia High School.”
While Harvey’s tenure as head coach of the Wildcats is over, he said he is still going to look out for his players.
“My current kids, I told them that they will always be my guys. I love each and every one of them and will always be here for them. Anything that I can do for them I will,” he said. “I’ll be here in a teaching capacity for the rest of this year and possibly next year. I’ve been offered employment as a teacher next year also if I choose to accept that. I told them that with the contacts that I have to help those kids that want to go to the next level, I’ll be more than happy to do it.”
Harvey added that he hopes the community will continue to support the program going forward.
“It’s been a blessing. These last 10 years at Columbia have been great. I don’t have any ill will or hard feelings toward the program or administration,” he said. “I hope that from a community standpoint that everybody will support the program, be positive about the program and help these kids be as successful as they can possibly be.”
Harvey now has his sights set on a goal he has been working toward diligently — earning a master’s degree in administration from William Carey — which he is nearly finished with.
“That’s an aspiration and a goal that I’ve worked hard toward accomplishing,” he concluded.
