JACKSONVILLE — Christopher M. Taber has been named the new athletic director and head varsity football coach for the Jacksonville Independent School District, the district announced in a release on Tuesday.

Taber has been serving as the offensive coordinator and assistant head football coach at Chapel Hill High School since 2009 and has been a part of the CHHS coaching staff that led its varsity football team to the state finals in 2010 and to the Class 3A Division I state championship in 2011.

Taber is no stranger to Jacksonville ISD. In 2001-2002 he began his career at JHS coaching football, baseball and teaching World History. Following JHS, he was part of the successful sports programs at Nacogdoches High School and New Braunfels High School before arriving at Chapel Hill ISD.

“We are very excited about Chris Taber joining our team,” said Dr. Joe Wardell, Jacksonville ISD superintendent. “He brings with him an energy and integrity that we are eager to blend with our students, district and community.”

Coach Taber will be introduced to the staff of Jacksonville High School at 7:15 a.m. today at the JHS Library during a meet-and-greet breakfast. Later today he will meet with the JHS coaching staff and he plans to meet with students on Thursday. The new athletic director will be in the district fulltime beginning April 11th.

Former Jacksonville football coach and athletic director Steve Wells announced he was stepping down in February after a 4-6 campaign in 2011. The Indians went 4-3 in District 14-4A, missing the playoffs for the first time under Wells.