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System officials on Monday named Escambia County High School Assistant Principal Layton Knight as the school’s interim principal.

Escambia County Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Michele Collier announced the move to the school’s faculty and staff.

“It’s a different career path,” Knight, who also serves as the school’s boys basketball coach, said. “This is going to be my last year of coaching. Dr. Collier said I can finish the season out.”
Knight is in his ninth year in education. He spent six years at Escambia County Middle School, and then came over to ECHS, where he has served in an administration capacity.

Knight cited aspirations and career plans as to why he accepted the new role.

“I know I’ve got to stop coaching at some point,” he said.

When asked if he wants to be principal at the school, he said he just wants to be principal anywhere.

“It’s like a bigger team,” he said. “My calling is to affect and mentor and motivate as many students as possible. That’s a big thing for me.”

Knight in his interim role, he to get the community and school connected more.

“That’s one of my goals,” he said. “We’re having a town hall next week (Jan. 29-30) so they (parents and guardians) can understand our expectations. So, everybody’s one the same page. It takes a village to raise these kids.”

Knight replaces Kike Pettaway, who was named the school system’s mental health coordinator.