Opelika High School has named Craig Montel as the new athletic director.

Coach Montel currently serves as Opelika Middle School’s athletic director, head 7th-grade football coach, head baseball coach, and PE teacher“I have been invested in OCS for more than 15 years, and I have seen firsthand as an employee and a parent how amazing our schools, administration, faculty and staff, our parents, and community members are. I have always been blown away by how great this community is, and I will work every day to continue building on the foundation of what Opelika stands for and give our students and fans the best athletic experience possible,” said Montel.
Montel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Auburn University in 2010 and received his Master of Education degree in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama in 2022.

He has worked in Opelika City Schools since 2011, beginning at Opelika High School as a PE teacher and assistant coach in multiple sports. He has been at Opelika Middle School since 2015.

“Coach Montel brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to this position,” stated Kelli Fischer, Opelika High School principal. “I am excited for him to serve in this new role while being able to continue his strong relationships with our students, our community members, and our coaches.”
Coach Montel and his wife, Melanie, also a teacher at Opelika Middle School, have lived in Opelika for over twenty years. Their daughter Mary Cara is a junior at OHS, their son Cooper is an 8th grader at OMS, and their son Houston Woods is a 2019 graduate of OHS.