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SPORTS: Andy Thigpen named Choctaw’s new Athletic Director

On Monday night, the Okaloosa County School Board approved Andy Thigpen as the new Athletic Director at Choctawhatchee High School. The approval comes after a recommendation from Superintendent Marcus Chambers. Coach Thigpen is a product of the Okaloosa County school system where he attended Mary Esther Elementary, Bruner Middle School, and graduated from Fort Walton […]

On Monday night, the Okaloosa County School Board approved Andy Thigpen as the new Athletic Director at Choctawhatchee High School.

The approval comes after a recommendation from Superintendent Marcus Chambers.

Coach Thigpen is a product of the Okaloosa County school system where he attended Mary Esther Elementary, Bruner Middle School, and graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School. During his high school athletic career, Andy played football, basketball and baseball.

Upon graduating college, he decided to come back home to help run the family business before deciding to pursue his passions: education and sports.

It has now been 13 years since Thigpen started at Choctawhatchee High School as a math teacher and assistant basketball coach under Marc Tisza. This past season marked his 10th season as the head boys basketball coach at CHS.

As head coach, Thigpen has accumulated a record of 217 wins and 75 loses. His teams have:

  • Made nine playoff appearances
  • Won five District Championships
  • Made six Sweet 16 appearances
  • Three Elite 8 appearances
  • Won two Regional Championships
  • Made two Final Four appearances
  • 2x State Runner-up

“I definitely want to thank Superintendent Chambers for just his support and faith in me,” said Thigpen on Monday night. “I want to thank Mr. Horton, along with the School Board here this evening for just allowing me to pursue my dream and my passion for being an athletic director. Hopefully I can do Choctaw proud and also the school district.”

“As a long time head coach of the highly successful Choctaw Boys Basketball program, Andy Thigpen is stepping into his dream job,” said Principal Michele Heck. “Taking over the helm of Big Green Athletics is a huge responsibility and he couldn’t be more ready as well as excited!”

Thigpen officially starts the new position on July 1, 2021.

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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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