Columbus State women’s coach Jonathan Norton resigns

Columbus State University women’s basketball coach Jonathan Norton announced his resignation as women’s head coach on Friday at a press conference in the Lumpkin Center. He leaves CSU for another position in Columbus, becoming the principal at Wynnbrook Christian School and the Chief Administrative Officer at Wynnbrook Baptist Church.

Norton leaves behind a program he has been a part of for sixteen years: two as a student assistant, seven as an assistant coach and seven as a head coach. He finishes with a 141-61 career coaching record with the Lady Cougars, reaching the NCAA tournament three consecutive times, winning the Peach Belt’s regular season title twice and earning two conference tournament titles as well. For his efforts, he has been named the PBC Coach of the Year for each of the last two seasons.

“CSU has played a huge role in molding me into the person I am today,” Norton said. “I’m forever grateful to CSU for all the opportunities this institution has provided me. I cherish the many friendships and relationships I gained along this journey. One of the many blessings in making this change at this time is that my family can remain in this wonderful community and continue those close friendships.

“CSU is in my DNA. I bleed red, white, and blue and will always be a Cougar and a Cougar fan.”

Norton attributes the change to his priorities in life: faith, family, and basketball. The transition to Wynnbrook helps him focus on the former two in lieu of the latter as the Lady Cougars coach.

“God has called me and my family into a different season in our life,” an emotional Norton said. “I have an opportunity to put my faith into action by serving God and my family in a much greater capacity than I’ve been able to do over the past 21 years.

“… Right after the season, I was approached (by Wynnbrook). It was a church I’ve served in for many years. At first, I was floored, but then I submitted myself to that process because I felt my heart changing. The seed was planted a couple of years ago when I got my masters in education administration, thinking that’s what I’d do one day. I didn’t think it would be that soon.”

“To retain the Norton family in this community is a win for this community,” said CSU athletic director Todd Reeser, who sat alongside Norton for his announcement at Friday’s press conference.

The rigors of life in the Peach Belt, with long, overnight road trips, also took a toll on Norton’s commitment to his family. That was put more into focus when he had a health scare in January, collapsing on the court in a game at North Georgia. While he recovered in the hospital and the collapse was found to be a result of hypertension and not anything more serious, it put things in perspective for Norton.

“It broke my heart every time I had to leave my family on a long road trip,” he said. “When you’re in the hospital, that gets your attention as well. While it’s a small problem and not life-threatening, is does hinder me from giving everything I’ve got to those young ladies.”

Norton reiterated, though, that the health issues he encountered this season were not the primary reason for his change; rather, it was a calling to serve at Wynnbrook.

“Ultimately, it is trumped by the will of God that my wife and I feel called to serve in this capacity and make this change,” he said. “Being with my family more on a daily basis, to provide a better education in a Christian learning environment, calling to serve in the ministry, and yes, even my health did play a little bit of a role, but not near as major of a role … to be obedient in God’s calling.”

Norton first broke the news on Friday to his players and assistant coaches prior to the press conference, many of whom accompanied him to the room at the Lumpkin Center to watch the official public announcement.

“I’m so very proud of the team and their unbelievable maturity,” Reeser said. “Our team was obviously shocked and sad, but they embraced Coach Norton with love and happiness for him (and his family).”

“All the athletes past and present I consider like family, and love them as such,” Norton said. “Any success I have had the good fortune to be involved in has nothing to do with me; all the credit goes to the great players and the great assistant coaches we’ve had over the years in this program. They did all the heavy lifting, and they deserve all the credit and all the praise.

“I have a picture in my office that says ‘a good coach can change your game; a great coach can change your life.’ That’s been my goal for the past 21 years. Relationships don’t end at graduation. It’s a lifelong investment that I expect to continue.”

Norton paid homage to two individuals who, along with Norton himself, helped shape the program into what it is today: Jay Sparks, the only other head coach in the history of Lady Cougar basketball, and former CSU men’s basketball coach and Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame member, the late Herbert Greene.

“I stood up here seven years ago and stated our mission is simple: to carry on the tradition that Coach Sparks built,” Norton said. “I think we’ve done that. I hope we made (him) proud.”

“(Coach Greene) was an inspiration to us all,” he added. “He made us laugh all the time. He gave so many of us sitting in this room opportunities we didn’t even deserve, probably. He was just a special, special man. I love him and miss him.”

The search now begins for just the third head coach in the history of the Columbus State women’s basketball program. Reeser says he is looking for someone to continue to build on the momentum Sparks and Norton have set into motion.

“I commit to search for someone who can build not just on the on-court success of Coach Norton and Coach Sparks, but someone who is equally committed to the student-athlete experience that is the hallmark of Columbus State athletics,” he said.

“The fabric of this university draws you in. I think this position will be pursued by many across the country because of who has come before, the facilities, and the commitment to excellence of this program and tradition of success.

“I have no doubt there will be a great deal of interest. We won’t wait for it. We’ll seek to get the very best leader to carry on a wonderful tradition.”

In closing, Norton quoted Dr. Seuss in his vision of how he will remember the past seven years at the helm of Lady Cougar basketball.

“Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to choose to do, cherish the good times and the memories.”

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Columbus State women’s coach Jonathan Norton resigns."