The athletics program at North Stanly High School will have a new person at the helm when the fall sports season opens in August.

Bryan Mills, who taught social studies and coached cross country last season at North Rowan, will add athletic director to his other new duties at North Stanly as Dean of Students.

He coached a number of sports in his 26 years teaching at the school from which he graduated, including football and women’s track. The Spencer native went on from high school to earn a degree in history from Mars Hill College.

Mills is a “great addition to the school” and is “coming in with lots of experience” from North Rowan, according to North Stanly principal Dr. Randy Mann.

North’s principal said Mills will bring “a different viewpoint coming from somewhere else.”

“Teachers and coaches are big role models for students and student-athletes. I believe in being a positive role model,” Mills said.

Having been at North Rowan when the school was one of the smallest 2A schools as well as playing in the 1A classification. He described North Rowan as a “close knit school and community when you deal with small schools.”

Being both the athletic director and dean, Mills said, is something often found at a small school where people have to “wear many hats.”

“It goes back to being a small community school,” Mills said. “There are people who have to pitch in and fill a variety of roles.”

North Stanly “is rich in history and tradition of having great student-athletes and a winning tradition in sports,” he added. “That is something Dr. Mann wants to continue and is something the community wants to continue. I’m just happy to play a part in continuing that tradition.”