Gwinnett Daily Post

In need of a head girls basketball coach, Peachtree Ridge turned to its boys staff.

The Lions announced boys assistant James Clanahan as the school's new head girls coach on Monday to replace Shana White.

Clanahan has coached boys basketball at Peachtree Ridge since it opened in 2003, but also has coached junior varsity softball and girls track. The 34-year-old was previously a girls basketball assistant at Duluth.

"I wanted to be a head coach and I've coached girls (basketball) before at Duluth with Dawn Marsh," Clanahan said. "I just saw a lot of girls here that are real eager to be successful. I saw some girls in the program with great potential. And I love being at Peachtree Ridge. It's a great school and a great place to teach."

Clanahan is a Gwinnett product - he went to Brookwood for three years and transferred to Meadowcreek, where he graduated in 1992 - and also has local ties to coaching. His father, Jim, is a longtime Gwinnett coach who coached at Peachtree Ridge this past school year.

"We are delighted that James has accepted this position and greatly respect the time and energy he has put into our programs," Peachtree Ridge athletic director Bill Holleman said. "We are excited to have the opportunity to reward his work."

White recently resigned after two seasons as the Lions' girls coach, leading the program to a 27-28 record. Her 2007-08 team made the second round of the state playoffs.

SideBar: THE CLANAHAN FILE

Name: James Clanahan

New position: Head girls basketball coach at Peachtree Ridge

Former position: Assistant boys basketball coach at Peachtree Ridge

Age: 34

Career record: First head coaching job

Education: Graduated from Meadowcreek High School in 1992; graduated from North Georgia in 1997; earned master's degree from West Alabama in 1999

Background: Went to Brookwood for three years before transferring to Meadowcreek; played college basketball at North Georgia; has coached boys basketball, girls track and softball at Peachtree Ridge; got his start in coaching at Duluth; his father Jim is a longtime Gwinnett coach

Family: Wife Amy; son Luke, 21 months