PRATTVILLE -- Autauga Academy's football and boys basketball programs are under new direction.

Following the resignation of football coach Jeremy Carter and boys basketball coach Tommy Bracknell, the Generals have turned to Chris Honeycutt for football and Chad Michael for basketball.

"We hated to lose Jeremy and Tommy but I understand the reasons behind their decisions," Autauga Academy headmaster and athletic director Gerald Carter said. "Jeremy wants to get into the public system and Tommy had a good opportunity to return to Edgewood."

Jeremy Carter led the Generals to a 30-6 record in three seasons, reaching the AISA Class A championship game in 2005 and the semifinals the past two seasons.

"The kids at Autauga have been great and I've enjoyed the last few years," Jeremy Carter said of his first head coaching job. "I've learned a lot and I feel like I'm a little more experienced. This is an opportunity for me to get into the public school system and I think it's what will be best for me and my family."

The 28-year-old Carter said he made his decision official within the past few weeks. Carter hasn't officially accepted a new position but said he has been contacted about being a defensive coordinator at a school in the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Carter declined to specify which school.

Honeycutt comes to Autauga from Central-Coosa, where he served as offensive coordinator. Carter said Honeycutt is a Thompson High School graduate and that he has previously coached at Pleasant Grove and Chelsea.

This will be Honeycutt's first head coaching position.

"We feel good about Chris," Carter said. "He's been an assistant in the (AHSAA) and he's ready to be a head coach."

Bracknell, who spent two seasons as Autauga's basketball coach, led the Generals to two state titles.

"This was a tough decision but I've prayed about it and I feel this is the direction I'm being led," said Bracknell, who spent eight seasons at Edgewood as an assistant coach before going to Autauga. "The support at Autauga Academy was tremendous. The Lord really blessed us our two years there."

Michael spent the past two seasons at Pike Liberal.

"It will be tough to follow someone who won two state championships, but we're excited about Michael," Gerald Carter said. "He's a young coach that works hard. In the long run, I think he will do a good job."

Courtesy: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/SPORTS03/806300313/1020