Morristown Hamblen High School West has a new principal and it’s a familiar face.

Dr. Alvin Sanders – the former West High football coach who has called the school home for the last 20 years – has been picked to take the helm of the school, following the departure of Dr. Jeff Kinsler at the end of the school year.

Sanders is one of three new principals selected by Hamblen County Department of Education officials recently.

Courtney Miller will take the lead at Alpha Elementary and Jessica Schaus will be the principal at Lincoln Elementary,

“All of them are great educational leaders, passionate about putting kids first,” said Arnold Bunch, superintendent of Hamblen County Schools. “And they’re all replacing great people. I’m highly confident that they will be able to keep us on the upward trajectory that we’ve been on… all three are strongly invested in this community, shaping Hamblen County’s future one student at a time.”

In his message to faculty and staff, he shared that his focus will be on supporting staff, building strong relationships, honoring West High’s traditions of excellence and keeping students at the center of every decision.

Sanders believes that the greatest strength of West High is its people and looks forward to listening, learning, and working together as the school’s staff continues moving the school forward, officials announced.

Sanders resigned as football coach after the 2025 season, after nine years at the helm of the program, to transition to a role on the school’s administrative team.

A former track coach at the school as well, Sanders completed his doctorate degree at Carson-Newman University in 2019.