Athletic Director Terry Moore's contract might be in jeopardy.

Dr. Mike Reed, superintendent of the Butler County Board of Education said Wednesday night that action is pending on the matter.

"It is true that Coach Terry Moore and Assistant Coach James Pair have been told, by Principal John Black, that he would recommend their contracts not be renewed for the school year 2001-2002," Reed said. "I cannot discuss specifics of the matter, because at this point it is a personnel matter."

Reed said at that time he still had to present the recommendation to the board.

"I have not even talked to the Board of Education members about it yet-it will ultimately be up to them, how it is handled."

On Thursday, Coach Moore confirmed the same.

"Mr. Black did in fact tell me that he was going to recommend to Dr. Reed that my contract and that of Coach Pair not be renewed," Moore said.

Moore said this news came as a complete surprise to him.

"This has been a shock to my wife and I-it has hurt her terribly," Moore said. "When we moved here last summer, we didn't just rent-we bought our home. We had planned on making Greenville our home."

Moore, who holds a degree in Sociology, took over as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach last summer, and despite not having the benefit of spring training with the Tigers, managed to turn the team into a winning combination by the season's end. He brought with him James Pair, who took a position as Assistant Football Coach. Pair teaches English.

Although the School Board met on Thursday night and took general action on non-renewals, according to Board Member Frank Thigpen, this matter was not discussed.

"The only thing I know about the situation regarding the coaches is the same rumors that everyone else has heard," Thigpen said Monday night. "While we did in fact approve the mailing of non-renewal notices, we will not know until after they are received and responded to just who they are, and for what."

Principal John Black echoed the response by Dr. Reed.

"This is in fact a personnel matter at the present time-it is standard to send out non-renewal notices to non-tenured employees," Black said. "Once those letters are sent out, the board will decide who to re-hire."

Students are reacting in shock also.

Sam Williamson, a graduating senior this year and a star player for the football and basketball teams, said it surprised him.

"I don't think it is right," Williamson said. "Coach Moore and Coach Pair are both excellent teachers and coaches, and other students should have the benefits that I was given by being coached and taught by them."

Williamson signed a letter of intent with the University of Alabama-Birmingham to accept a full football scholarship.

"If not for Coach Moore, I probably would not be going to UAB in the fall," he said.

As for Moore, he is preparing for the worst.

"I am not going to let this affect any of my students," Moore said. "I intend on finishing out the school term, just as I have been all year, dedicated to the kids-after all, that is what we are here for."