Pelham High School has a new skipper for its baseball team who brings an impressive record with him in 6A competition.

Jeff Maulden, formerly of Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, was recommended by Pelham Principal Bob Lavett and Pelham Athletic Director Brett Burnett to take on the role as head baseball coach. He was officially hired by the Shelby County Board of Education to teach physical education on Friday, July 7.

Maulden led Clay-Chalkville to the state 6A baseball championship in 2003 and to runner up for the state title twice in 2005 and 2006. He compiled an impressive 218-62 record.

When asked what attracted him to leave such a successful program for Pelham, Maulden said, &8220;The number one priority in my life is my wife and my three kids. The decision was solely based on my family.&8221;

Maulden said he is looking at spending 10 to 15 years in a place. And he said, &8220;I felt like doing this was the best situation for my family.&8221;

Maulden said he toured the Pelham facilities during his interview. And he said Monday he met half the kids on the team. He said he expected to begin evaluating players as of Tuesday.

&8220;I feel great. I am extremely excited to be a part of Pelham High,&8221; Maulden said.

He also said he is looking forward to getting involved with the cities of Pelham and Helena, the community and the schools.

Maulden said getting around to all the schools, being able to each lunch with the principals and discussing kids is something he felt contributed to the success of the Clay-Chalkville program.

He said he hoped to be able to tell the schools what he is about. And he said he felt it was important that all schools in the school system have a &8220;common goal.&8221;

Maulden said working hard for the program on an off the field, as well as academics are important to him.

He said Pelham will move into regional play this year with Thompson, Hueytown and Jackson Olin. But he said the goal will be to win both the (regional) and the state championship every year.

Maulden played baseball for UAB, where he graduated in 1996 and earned an Alabama Teaching Certificate in physical education.

He began coaching at Clay-Chalkville Middle School where he won the Jefferson County Middle School championship.

In 1999 he moved to Clay-Chalkville High School were he taught physical education and was head baseball and assistant football coach.

In 2003 his team went 36-5, won the Region 7 title and the 6A state championship.

At Pelham, &8220;Time will tell,&8221; he said