The first head football coach at Panther Creek will be making the short trip down N.C. 55 on Monday to start his new job as Green Hope's athletics director.

Green Hope Assistant Principal Chris Clayton had been serving as interim athletics director since summer, when Mickey Bissette departed to become boys' basketball coach at Wake Forest-Rolesville.

Bragg had a 39-32 career head coaching record at Panther Creek, which fielded its first varsity football team in 2007.

The Catamounts won only three games during their first two seasons but were 13-2 in 2010 and 8-4 this year.

"I'd like to think we did a nice job creating some things with Panther Creek football," Bragg said.

Although Bragg said he was nervous to tell his players, he was greeted by their support.

"They all understand the reasons," Bragg said. "They're all really happy for me."

Panther Creek Athletics Director Todd Schuler said he and Bragg grew close as two of the school's original coaches when PCHS opened in 2006. Schuler will continue to work with Bragg as fellow athletics directors in the Tri-Nine Conference.

"I have the utmost respect for Wayne as a person, a teacher, a coach," Schuler said. "He's well-regarded in our community, our players and our staff. He's put a great blueprint in place for how a high school football program should be run."

Bragg is a 1989 graduate of Broughton. He played one season at Methodist before transferring to and graduating from N.C. State.

"I've got a business background so I've always had interest in being an AD," Bragg said.

Green Hope won last year's Wachovia Cup, which recognizes the top overall athletics program, in the 4A school division.

Panther Creek posted the football vacancy on the Wake County Public Schools System website Thursday.