Meridian High School is in the final stages of hiring a new boys basketball coach.

MHS Athletic Director Chuck Butler said Monday evening a name had been submitted for recommendation to the Meridian Public School Board for approval, and an official announcement of the hire was hopefully coming in the next couple of days. Butler declined to name the candidate he and MHS Principal Victor Hubbard recommended but did say it was important to get the new coach in as quickly as possible.

“The primary reason (for the urgency) is people are under contract, so the longer you wait, the harder it is to get released,” Butler explained. “We wanted to give other schools the opportunity to do what we’re doing.”

The new coach will replace Randy Bolden, who led the Wildcats for nine seasons, winning a state championship in 2011, before departing several weeks ago to take a job as an assistant coach at Hinds Community College. A small committee oversaw the coaching search, which took in more than 20 applicants for the position, Butler said. After narrowing it down to five, Butler said he and Hubbard settled on their choice, which was presented to the school board Monday.

“We still have to await word from the district we’re getting him from to release him,” Butler said. “All coaches are under contract right now, so as soon as we get word, we’ll make an announcement.”

Given the success of the MHS program for so many years, Butler said it was important to find someone who could continue the successful tradition of Wildcats hoops.

“Our program is in good shape,” Butler said. “We wanted someone to take it up from where we are and continue to hold athletes accountable like Coach Bolden did and run a good, disciplined team Meridian can be proud of. Obviously, we need someone who has basketball knowledge and is good with X’s and O’s.”

Butler also said the MHS boys basketball program was one of its higher-profile athletic programs, meaning it was important to find the right fit.

“It’s important to the people of Meridian,” Butler said. “It’s a position we put a lot of importance in.”

The Wildcats, meanwhile, continue their summer workouts under the watch of assistant coach Tony Tadlock.