NATCHEZ — Shortly after Natchez High School decided against renewing Mike Martin’s boys basketball head coach contract, school district officials apparently changed their mind. A recommendation led to a decision to bring Martin back as a coach at Natchez High School.

Natchez public relations coordinator Steven Richardson said the decision to not renew Martin’s contract was made by former principal Willis Smith, who later had a change of heart.

“A few weeks after that decision, when Dr. Smith was still at the school, he recommended bringing him back, which was approved,” Richardson said.

Administrators of each school in the school district make the decision whether to renew or recommend an employee back for each individual school, Richardson said.

Martin began coaching at South Natchez in 1980, then when North and South Natchez merged in 1989, Martin became the head coach of Natchez High School. Under Martin, the Bulldogs won a state championship in 1994. He has been Natchez High School’s only boys basketball coach.

Efforts to reach Martin and Smith were unsuccessful Monday. Richardson said superintendent Frederick Hill was out of town and unavailable for comment.

Tony Fields is the new principal at Natchez High School, replacing Smith.