The Bright Local Board of Education hired new boys and girls head basketball coaches during a regular meeting Wednesday night at Whiteoak High School.

Superintendent Ted Downing said the board accepted the resignations of Jeremy McGraw and Randy Abbott, who coached the boys and girls teams, respectively, during the 2016-17 season.

Downing said the board hired Blake Kibler to lead the boys basketball program and Steve Smith to return to the girls basketball program.

Kibler is a Whiteoak High School graduate who coached the Southern State Community College men’s basketball team for a time before taking the last year or two off and concentrating on youth basketball.

“Well my basketball journey continues. As of yesterday, I will be coming home and will be the next head Boy’s Varsity Basketball coach at Whiteoak High School,” Kibler posted Thursday on Facebook. “My family and I are very excited to take on this venture and have the opportunity to help these fantastic young men and give back to this wonderful school. Very blessed and very excited to get started.”

Smith is a former Whiteoak girls coach who led a highly successful Lady Wildcat program for many years before not being rehired following the 2009-10 season. At one point his WHS teams won at least 10 sectional tournament titles in a row.

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.