The way has been cleared for Barbara Hartzog to become Vicksburg High’s new girls’ basketball coach. The only hurdle remaining is her current position.

Hartzog has been approved by the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees to take over the Missy Gators, but has yet to be released from her contract at Provine.

Hartzog said Thursday she cannot comment on the situation until she is released from her contract with the Jackson school. She did say, however, that she expects it to be resolved by the time school starts on Aug. 10.

Butch Newman, assistant superintendent for the Vicksburg Warren School District, said there is no backup plan in place if Hartzog’s contract situation drags on.

“As far as we’re concerned, we have approved her to work here, but she can’t work here until she is released from her contract by the Jackson Public Schools,” Newman said. “She’s our pick. We think she’s the best candidate for the job.”

Hartzog’s record is a good indication of why Newman is willing to wait.

She led Provine to the Class 4A state championship in 2002 and has compiled a 160-65 record in seven seasons at the Jackson school. Her teams advanced to the playoffs in five of those seasons and have reached the Misssissippi Coliseum three times.

She’ll inherit a Vicksburg team with plenty of talent and five returning starters. The Missy Gators finished 14-17 last season and failed to get out of district for the sixth consecutive year.

“It’s just her philosophy on coaching and her record,” Newman said in explaining why Hartzog was hired. “She’s very player-oriented, and she comes highly recommended from a lot of knowledgeable people. She’s a proven winner.”

Newman added that he was happy to get such a top-notch coach so late in the hiring process. The Vicksburg job came open when former coach Mike Coleman resigned in June to take the same position at Quitman High.

Coleman’s move came after many coaches had already signed contracts with schools for next year, or were facing deadlines to do so. That included Hartzog, who signed her contract with Provine on June 27, 10 days after Coleman stepped down.

“I told (superintendent) Dr. (James) Price that I felt we could get the best coach in Mississippi, and I think we got that,” Newman said. “We got one of the best.”