Andalusia native Stephen Gunter, who currently serves as the assistant sports director for WSFA 12 News, will become the station’s next sports director on Jan. 1. The station made the announcement yesterday.

Gunter will replace current Sports Director Jeff Shearer, who is leaving WSFA to work for Auburn University Athletics.

Gunter joined the WSFA 12 News team in September 2013 after spending three years at WLBT in Jackson, Miss. Prior to that, he worked three years as a weekend sports anchor in Panama City.

He graduated from Troy University in 2007 with a degree in broadcast journalism with a concentration in sports information.