Fall 2016 | Vol. 35, No. 2
The Official Publication of the Mississippi Association of Coaches
A Round of Applause to
MAC’s Coaches of the Year! Kudos to MAC’s 2015–2016 State Championship Coaches
Fall 2016 | Vol. 35, No. 2
The Official Publication of the Mississippi Association of Coaches
features
7 10
Feature Story —
Kudos to MAC’s 2015–2016 State Championship Coaches
Cover Story —
A Round of Applause to MAC’s Coaches of the Year!
departments 5
2016–2017 MAC Officers Announced
6
President’s Message (Gina Skelton)
6
Executive Director’s Message (Johnny Mims)
8
News from MAC 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees Outstanding Coach Award 2015–2016 Service Awards Upcoming Events Amanda Price Award and lots more!
14
Index of Advertisers
The Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Mississippi Coach, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or MAC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bi-annual publication. Copyright ©2016 by The Mississippi Association of Coaches. Mississippi Coach is published bi-annually. Subscriptions are complimentary to MAC members. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Mississippi Coach allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MAC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
4 M ississippi C oac h – fall 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
MAC Officers //
Mississippi Coach is the official publication of: The Mississippi Association of Coaches Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1194 Clinton, Mississippi 39060-1194 Street Address: 600 East Northside Drive Clinton, Mississippi 39056-3437 Tel: (601) 924-3020 Fax: (601) 924-3050 www.mscoaches.com Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com MAC Staff: Executive Director Johnny Mims jmims@mscoaches.com Office Manager Sara Angelo sangelo@mscoaches.com Creative Designer/ Web Master Lindsey Koestler lkoestler@mscoaches.com MAC Officers: President Gina Skelton Vice President Derrick Hooker Immediate Past President Andy Richey Executive Committee Brad Breland Justin Chaney Larry Gann Kenneth Kable Shane Sanderson Randy West
2016–2017 MAC Officers President – Gina Skelton, Wayne County Vice-President – Derrick Hooker, South Dakota Immediate Past President – Andy Richey, Wheeler Executive Director – Johnny Mims Office Manager – Sara Angelo Creative Designer/Web Master – Lindsey Koestler
Class 1A/2A District
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Coach
School
Term
Larry Gann Bernadette Sayles Quintarus McCray Brad Gray Brad Breland Chris Courtney Brian Smith Mike Meyers
Vardaman Coffeeville Riverside Winona Union Pelahatchie Salem Our Lady Academy
2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2017
Coach
School
Term
Shane Sanderson Richard Russo Richard Horton Chad Peterson Justin Chaney Burrell Leach Rickey O’Quinn Tony Woody
New Albany Independence Humphreys County Kosciusko Newton County McLaurin Franklin County Moss Point
2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017
Coach
School
Term
Pat Byrd Paul Hayden Kenneth Kable Randal Montgomery Danielle Haney Randy West Tommy Clopton Tom Gladney
Saltillo DeSoto Central Greenville-Weston Columbus Wayne County Brandon Brookhaven Biloxi
2016 2017 2017 2016 2016 2017 2017 2016
Class 3A/4A District
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Class 5A/6A District
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
* Bold Italics indicates Executive Committee
Honorary Board Members
Herman Sanders, Wingfield Scott Huskey, Brandon High School Allen Lunceford, Clinton High School www.mscoaches.com – fall 2016 – M ississippi C oac h 5
// President’s
Message
// Executive
Director’s Message
Teaching
You
Students to Be Leaders
Make a Huge Difference
L
eadership is essential to the success of any team or organization. It begins with us as coaches, but also it must be carried onto the court or field by our players. We want and expect our players to be leaders, but in our profession we are “fixers.” We sometimes fail to give our players opportunities to develop leadership skills. We cannot expect our players to take initiative if we are always taking it for them. So in essence, we fail to really teach our players HOW to be leaders. The best coaches are good at getting their players to take ownership. We have to empower our leaders by giving them responsibilities and opportunities to lead. Leadership is taught and developed through service to others, doing extra and having a positive perspective. The leadership skills that we model and teach are a direct reflection of our philosophy, values and focus. I challenge all of us, as coaches, to take our responsibility to teach our players HOW to be leaders seriously. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your president this year. Please do not hesitate to call on me if I can help you in any way. Best wishes on your upcoming season and as you teach and mold young men and women into leaders.
A
nother school season has begun, and I am amazed at how fast each year comes and goes. Each year, the MAC has grown in membership, and I want to thank all of the coaches for the support that you have given the MAC. I want to also thank the MAC board members for all of their hard work and time this past year. The MAC has been blessed over the years with great leadership, and this group of leaders is no exception. A special thanks to each of you for your efforts to provide the best possible opportunities for all of Mississippi’s student athletes. A coach makes such a huge difference in the lives of so many young men and women. Good luck to all of your teams this year.
Johnny Mims
MAC Executive Director
Coach Gina Skelton 2016–2017 MAC President
Thanks to
Our Sponsors!
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MS State Dept. of Health – Office of Tobacco Control
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Five Star Sports — Mascot Media
Mississippi high school activities assn. Mississippi Power
6 M ississippi C oac h – fall 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
Russell Athletic Wilson World Class Athletic Surfaces
State Champions //
Kudos to MAC’s 2015–2016
State Championship-Winning Coaches! Baseball 1A – Will Lowrey (Tupelo Christian Prep.) 2A – Chris Basil (East Union) 3A – Josh Dowdy (Kossuth) 4A – Scott Gann (Houston) 5A – Chris Baughman (Oxford) 6A – Patrick Robey (Madison Central)
Cheer Small Varsity Division I – Charlotte Chaney (West Lauderdale) Small Varsity Division II – Kelly Simpson (Enterprise-Clarke) Small Varsity Division III – Brittany Chaney (SE Lauderdale) Medium Varsity Division I – T.J. Sullivan (Purvis) Medium Varsity Division II – Lexey Robinett (Oak Grove) Medium Varsity Division III – Brittany Jones (Stone County) Large Varsity – Dana Martella (Brandon) Large Varsity Non-Tumbling Division I – Tammie Pirie (NE Lauderdale) Large Varsity Non-Tumbling Division II – Lacy Vitalec (Hancock) Varsity Co-ed Division I – Stephanie Box (Saltillo) Varsity Co-ed Division II – Whitney Allgood (Florence)
Girls’ Basketball 1A – Christi Terrell (Bogue Chitto) 2A – Trent Adair (Ingomar) 3A – Michael Smith (Booneville) 4A – Gina Skelton (Quitman) 5A – Luana Greer (Holmes Co. Central) 6A – Tangela Banks (Murrah)
Boys’ Basketball 1A – Rolley Tipler (Ashland) 2A – Bernard Berryhill (West Tallahatchie) 3A – John Alan Darnell (Kemper Co.) 4A – Keith Greene (Corinth) 5A – Marcus Price (Laurel) 6A – Luther Riley (Columbus)
Girls’ Bowling Class I – Wayne Dye (New Albany) Class II – Cindy Prewitt and Jim Philamlee (Starkville)
Boys’ Bowling Class I – Kevin Hartigan (Tupelo Christian) Class II – Cody Gilbert (DeSoto Central)
Girls’ Cross Country 1A – Bethany Pipkin (Hickory Flat) 2A – Nathan McClellan (East Union) 3A – Timothy McDaniel (St. Patrick) 4A – Mike Bain (Pontotoc) 5A – Charles Covington (Saltillo) 6A – Tim Sayers (Ocean Springs)
Boys’ Cross Country 1A – Chris Greer (Myrtle) 2A – Nathan McClellan (East Union) 3A – Price Chadwick (St. Andrew’s) 4A – Shane Baltz (Senatobia) 5A – Charles Covington (Saltillo) 6A – Chris Barnett (Pearl)
Football 1A – Tavares Johnson (Simmons) 2A – Lance Mancuso (Bassfield) 3A – Ryan Earnest (Collins) 4A – Tyrone Shorter (Noxubee County) 5A – Todd Mangum (Wayne County) 6A – Ricky Woods (Starkville)
Girls’ Golf Class I – Brandon Rea (Nettleton) Class II – Shane Sanderson (New Albany) Class III – Brandon Laird (St. Martin)
Boys’ Golf 1A – Grant Smallwood (Tupelo Christian) 2A – Brad Breland (Union) 3A – Bart Greenhaw (Booneville) 4A – Bradley Tate (Caledonia) 5A – Gregg Perry (Germantown) 6A – Todd Beach (Madison Central)
Girls’ Powerlifting Class I – Scott Duley (East Union) Class II – Kyle Mickelson (Moss Point) Class III – Stanley Spell (Jim Hill)
Boys’ Powerlifting 1A – Christopher Suggs (Coffeeville) 2A – Jordan Graham (Bruce) 3A – Casey Meeks III (Velma Jackson) 4A – Marty Warren (Pontotoc) 5A – Jason Russell (Oxford) 6A – Ron Brewer (Gulfport)
Girls’ Soccer 1A/2A/3A – Joe Falla Sr. (Sacred Heart) 4A – Alex George (West Lauderdale) 5A – Hunter Crane (Oxford) 6A – Cecil Hinds (Madison Central)
Boys’ Soccer 1A/2A/3A – Mario Camps (St. Patrick Catholic) 4A – Ryan Joiner (St. Stanislaus) 5A – Scott Maddox (Stone) 6A – Cecil Hinds (Madison Central)
Fast Pitch Softball 1A – Jeremy Duke (Smithville) 2A – Mason Grissom (Taylorsville) 3A – Perry Wilburn (Mooreville) 4A – Sonya Wallace (North Pike) 5A – Trae Embry (Neshoba Central) 6A – Jimmy Parker (Harrison Central)
Slow Pitch Softball 1A – Jeremy Duke (Smithville) 2A – Kaley Harris (Eupora) 3A – Austin McNair (Philadelphia) 4A – Justin Chaney (Newton County) 5A/6A – Trae Embry (Neshoba Central)
Girls’ Swimming Class I – Lauri Collins (St. Joseph / Madison) Class II – Brian Ware (Madison Central)
Boys’ Swimming Class I – Thatch Shepard (St. Andrew’s) Class II – Lucas Smith (Tupelo)
Tennis 1A/2A – Nat Leathers (Tupelo Christian) 3A – Emilia Viljoen (St. Andrew’s) 4A – Suzy Bowman (New Albany) 5A – Louis Nash (Oxford) 6A – Brad Boteler (Madison Central)
Girls’ Track 1A – Greg Warnick (Tupelo Christian) 2A – Chris McRae (Winona) 3A – Earnestine Dillon (Tylertown) 4A – Jeffery Gibson (McComb) 5A – Chris Patton (Oxford) 6A – Jonathan Perkins (Clinton)
Boys’ Track 1A – Chris Greer (Myrtle) 2A – Coleman Price (Bassfield) 3A – Zackery Fortenberry (Tylertown) 4A – Shane Baltz (Senatobia) 5A – Christopher Bush (Oxford) 6A – Chris Barnett (Pearl)
www.mscoaches.com – fall 2016 – M ississippi C oac h 7
// News
from MAC
MAC Announces Inductees to the 2016
Mississippi/ Alabama All-Star Football Classic,
Hall of Fame
2016
Banquet held at The Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS June 24, 2016
December 10, 2016
Sponsored by BankPlus Seated (left to right): Coach Kenneth Beesley and Coach Gina Skelton Standing (left to right): Coach Ricky Woods, Coach Larry Weems and Coach Herman Sanders
Coach Kenneth Murphy Receives the Coach Roy Garcia Outstanding Coach Award
Left to right: Coach Kenneth Murphy (Salem), Coach Roy Garcia and Coach Brian Smith (Salem).
Coach Kenneth Murphy of Salem High School was recognized for his years of distinguished service to his students and athletes and was selected to receive the Coach Roy Garcia Outstanding Coach Award. The award was presented at the Coaches Clinic on July 22, 2016 (Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS). This award, which was established to honor Coach Roy Garcia (who dedicated countless hours to helping students both on and off the field), recognizes coaches who exemplify the “best of the best” in high school athletics and coaching.
Congratulations to
MAC’s 2015–16 Service Award Winners 50-Year Service Award
40-Year Service Award
William “Moose” Perry (Rebul Academy)
Tony Stanford (Starkville Academy)
30-Year Service Awards
25-Year Service Awards
Sekufele Lewanika (Hazlehurst) Wanda McPhail (Meridian C.C.)
Steve Hampton (Quitman) Gregg Tucker (Baldwyn)
To be recognized for your years of coaching service, contact the MAC office to receive the form. The form is also available in the 2016–17 Directory and online. The forms must be completed and received in the MAC office by June 1, 2017, to be recognized at the Hall of Fame Banquet. 8 M ississippi C oac h – fall 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
The 30th Mississippi/Alabama AllStar Football Classic, featuring the “best of the best” of high school senior talent from both states, will be played at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL, on Saturday, December 10, 2016. Mississippi won last year’s game in Hattiesburg, MS, by the score of 28–21.
Coaching Staff Head Coach: Todd Mangum (Wayne County)
Assistant Coaches: Matt Caldwell (George County) Teddy Dyess (Philadelphia) Ryan Earnest (Ridgeland) Derrick Hooker (South Delta) Josh Morgan (Warren Central) Scott Pierson (West Jones) Tim Shramek (Germantown)
Scout Coach: Lance Mancuso (Bassfield)
Administrative Coach: Howard McNeill
Thank You! A special thanks to these folks who went above and beyond to make the 2016 Multi-Sports Clinic a success! Maggie Brooks
Allen Lunceford
Mike Chambless
Howard McNeill
Mike Curley
Susan Mims
Donny Fuller
Herman Sanders
Roy Garcia
Krystal Smithhart
Danielle Haney
Gina Skelton
Scott Huskey
Glen Waddle
Burrell Leach
Randy West
Don’t Miss Next Year’s Fid Jones Memorial Golf Tournament, July 17–18, 2017
Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football Game 2016
December 17, 2016
The 68th Annual Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Football Game will be played on Saturday, December 17, at Gulfport High School’s Milner Stadium. A special thanks to Gulfport School District Superintendent Glen East, Athletic Director Bryan Caldwell and all of their staff for supporting the MAC.
North Team Coaches Head Coach Brad Embry (Water Valley)
Assistant Coaches Bernard Euell (Velma Jackson) Brian Kelly (Kossuth) Byrant Nix (Water Valley) John Sallis (Leake Central) Patrick Schoolar (Neshoba Central) Joey Tompkins (Winona)
Scout Coach Richard Russo (Independence)
South Team Coaches Head Coach Todd Breland (Laurel)
Assistant Coaches Curt Blackburn (NE Lauderdale) Ronnie Cochran (Laurel) Eddie Pierce (Gulfport) Otis Riddley (Provine) Jeff Stockstill (Raleigh) Forrest Williams (Long Beach)
Scout Coach Cory Reynolds (South Jones)
Special thanks to all of the coaches who supported this year’s Golf Tournament. Next year’s event will be held on July 17–18, 2017. Make plans to attend!
Sponsored by Rex Team Sports
Congratulations to Christine
Davidson, Amanda Price Award Recipient
Christine Davidson, wife of Coach Roderick Davidson, was presented the 2016 Amanda Price Award at the Multi-Sports Clinic in July. The Amanda Price Award is presented to a coach’s wife who continuously gives outstanding support and encouragement to her coach, on and off the field. Congratulations, Christine If you would like to nominate your wife for this award, please be sure to submit a letter (to www.mississippicwa. com) by the deadline date. Nominations for next year’s award will begin in Spring 2017.
Left to right: Coach Roderick Davidson, Christine Davidson, Sheri Shramek (2015 recipient) and Coach Ron Price.
MAC’s 2016–2017 Winners of the
World Class Athletic Surfaces Scholarship World Class Athletic Surfaces provides two $500 scholarships to be presented to children of MAC members. The two recipients selected at random during the MAC General Business Meeting during the 2016 Coaches Clinic were:
Chase Lunceford
Son of Coach Allen Lunceford (Clinton), attending Louisiana Tech
Thank you, World Class Athletic Surfaces, and congratulations to our recipients!
John Todd Rutland
Son of Coach Vicki Rutland (Lawrence County), attending Southwest MS Community College
Notes from the MAC Staff • The tentative date set for the 2017 Coaches Clinic is July 18–21, 2017. • All upcoming events will be streamed live and can be viewed on the MAC Network at www.mscoaches.com. • Please refer to your MAC Directory to view the calendar of events for the upcoming year. Some All-Star games have been moved to coincide with the end
of the season. The calendar is also available for download on our website under the “Calendar” tab. • Please review your information in the MAC Directory to verify that we have accurate contact information for you. If we DO NOT, please contact us to make corrections, or you will not receive information from our office.
• Announcements and other important information are now posted on our website, Twitter (@MACoaches) and Facebook page. Please check these regularly. If you have information that you think will be helpful and would like to see on these pages, please feel free to contact us. R
www.mscoaches.com – fall 2016 – M ississippi C oac h 9
// cover
story
A Round of Applause for
MAC’s High School
Coaches of the Year! Athletic Director | Clay Norton (Clinton High School)
Coach Clay Norton has served as athletic director at Clinton High since 2012. As head basketball coach, he has guided his teams to a record of 204–122, with 3 district titles, 3 South State crowns, a North State title and a state runner-up finish. Under his guidance as athletic director, the Arrows’ sports programs have been consistently in the top-three overall programs in the state. His girls’ track team captured state championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and the Arrows were state runner-ups in girls’ bowling in 2016, swimming in 2015 and boys’ track in 2015. Coach Norton’s athletes also claimed individual state championships in swimming, powerlifting, track and tennis from 2012 to 2016.
Clay Norton
Baseball | Chris Baughman (Oxford High School)
Coach Chris Baughman has spent his entire coaching career at Oxford High, with the past six years as head coach of the Charger diamond program. His Charger baseball teams have a record of 152-52 and have claimed 3 state championships. His 2015 and 2016 baseball squads were nationally ranked and cruised to two straight Class 5A state championships. Coach Baughman was named the National Baseball Coaches Association Southern Regional Coach of the Year in 2015 and was selected as Coach of the Year by the Clarion Ledger and Northeast Daily Journal.
Chris Baughman
Girls’ Basketball | Tangela Banks (Murrah High School)
Coach Tangela Banks is a graduate of Yazoo City High where she was an All-District basketball star and All-State track athlete. She coached at Canton High and Forest Hill before arriving at Murrah in 2014. Overall, her girls’ basketball teams have compiled a record of 127–28. In addition to leading the Murrah Lady Mustangs to the 2016 Class 6A state championship, Coach Banks led the Forest Hill girls’ hoops team to consecutive Class 6A state championships in 2012 and 2013.
Tangela Banks
Boys Basketball | Marcus Price (Laurel High School)
Coach Marcus Price was a basketball all-star at South Jones before playing hoops and graduating from Union and Belhaven. During his 12-year coaching career, he served as an assistant for 3 years at Jim Hill and for 6 years at Laurel before being named head coach in 2013. His boys’ hoops squads have a record of 72–25. In 2016, his Golden Tornadoes captured the district and South State titles and the Class 5A state championship to complete a 27-5 record for the season. Coach Price has previously been honored three times as MHSAA District 5 Coach of the Year.
Marcus Price
Girls’ Bowling | Jim Philamlee (Starkville High School)
Coaching veteran Jim Philamlee has served as head coach for the Starkville bowling squad for 20 years. In 2016, he led Starkville High to the school’s first-ever Division 2 state championship with a squad composed of one senior and several sophomores. The Lady Yellowjackets claimed the state title over schools in Division 2 that cover Class 4A, 5A and 6A. The seasoned championship coach has bowled for more than six decades.
Jim Philamlee
Boys’ Bowling | Creighton Nelms (Kossuth High School)
Coach Creighton Nelms received his college degree from Southern Miss, where he was an All-CUSA and All-Academic football player. He joined the coaching ranks in 2013 at Kossuth, where his bowling squads have an overall record of 31–6. He paced the Kossuth girls’ bowling squad to a state runner-up finish in 2014 and a state championship in 2015. In 2015–16, Coach Nelms led his bowling squads to a sparkling record of 11–1, as his boys’ team claimed their second straight state runner-up trophy. Creighton Nelms 10 M ississippi C oac h – fall 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
Girls’ Cross Country | Charles Covington (Saltillo High School) Shane Baltz
Since 1989, Coach Charles Covington (photo unavailable) has guided Saltillo’s cross country squads to an amazing 16 state championships — 11 with the girls’ teams and 5 with the boys’ teams. His 2015 Tiger girls’ cross country runners claimed the Class 5A state championship, their third title in four years. He received the MAC Coach of the Year Award in 2005 for the boys’ team and in 2002 for his girls’ squad.
Boys’ Cross Country | Shane Baltz (Senatobia High School)
Coach Shane Baltz has spent his entire four-year career at Senatobia as assistant football coach and head coach for cross country and track. His 2015 Warrior boys’ cross country runners claimed the state championship, matching the 2016 boys’ track state crown. Coach Baltz was Senatobia Co-Coach of the Year for 2014–15 and Coach of the Year at the school for 2015–16. Ryan Earnest
Football | Ryan Earnest (Ridgeland High School)
A 12-year coaching veteran, Coach Ryan Earnest spent four years as head coach at Collins before arriving at the new football program at Ridgeland. Overall, his gridiron teams have a record of 42–15. In 2015, his Tigers won their second straight Class 3A state championship in football. Coach Earnest was named the Class 3A Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and was also selected as the 2016 Mississippi Preps Coach of the Year. Gregg Perry
Girls’ Golf | Gregg Perry (Germantown High School)
Prior to his arrival at Germantown in 2012, Coach Gregg Perry spent most of his 20-year career at Madison Central. Since his arrival, the Mavericks have won three straight boys’ district golf titles and two girls’ golf district crowns, along with the 2015 Class II girls’ state championship. In 2016, Coach Perry’s Lady Mavericks were district champs and state runner-ups in the Class 2 state championship. Coach Perry was also named the MAC Boys’ Golf Coach of the Year in 2015.
Boys’ Golf | Michael Gray (Baldwyn High School) Michael Gray
Coach Michael Gray has been head football, baseball and golf coach at Baldwyn for the past 22 years. His Bearcat golfers have claimed seven Region titles, one state runner-up finish and five Class 2A state championships. He guided Baldwyn to 3rd place in the 2016 Class 2A state championship. As head football coach, he has led Baldwyn to a record of 60–31 in 7 years, with 4 district titles and 2 North Half title game appearances. Coach Gray was named the MAC Boys’ Golf Coach of the Year in 2012.
Girls’ Powerlifting | Stanley Spell (Jim Hill High School)
Stanley Spell
A 32-year coaching veteran, Coach Stanley Spell spent 18 years at McClain High in Lexington before his arrival at Wingfield High in 2012. He has been a football coach since 1984 and has worked at Jim Hill since 2014. Coach Spell has been a powerlifting coach since 1994. In 2016, his Lady Tiger lifters captured the state championship, his fourth girls’ powerlifting title since 2009. He guided McClain to boys’ and girls’ Class 3A powerlifting state championships in 2009.
Boys’ Powerlifting | Jason Russell (Oxford High School)
Jason Russell
Coach Jason Russell has spent his entire nine-year coaching career at Oxford as head powerlifting coach and assistant football coach. He has paced the Charger lifters to 14 separate powerlifting titles, with 5 consecutive Region titles, 5 straight North Half championships and 4 consecutive Class 5A state crowns in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. His Lady Charger lifters have claimed four Class 3 Region championships.
Girls’ Soccer | Cecil Hinds (Madison Central High School)
Coach Cecil Hinds’ 17-year coaching career includes working at Northwest Rankin, Gulfport and his present position at Madison Central. His soccer teams have a record of 189–26–17. He led his Lady Jaguar squad to the 2016 Class 6A state championship, the team’s third consecutive state title. In addition, his Madison Central boys’ squad captured its fourth-straight Class 6A crown, his fifth boys’ team to claim a state title along with a 2010 Gulfport High championship. Cecil Hinds www.mscoaches.com – fall 2016 – M ississippi C oac h 11
cover story/continued
Boys’ Soccer | Scott Maddox (Stone High School)
Scott Maddox
A graduate from Biloxi High and a former Air Force pilot, Coach Scott Maddox has spent all 8 of his years coaching at Stone High, and his Tomcats have a record of 117–53. In 2016, his boys’ soccer team claimed the Class 5A state championship. Coach Maddox has also received numerous awards off the pitch, including a Master Teacher of Economics Award in 2008 and distinguished graduate honors from the Mississippi School of Banking in 1999 and the USAF Squadron Officers School in 1983.
Fast Pitch Softball | Jimmy Parker (Harrison Central High School)
Coach Jimmy Parker’s coaching career includes 7 seasons as an assistant coach and 24 years as head coach of the Red Rebel girls’ fast pitch squad. Overall, his Red Rebel teams have a record of 519–186, including 13 district titles, 7 South State crowns and 4 state championships, including 3 straight titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Among his many honors, his slow pitch Red Rebel teams have claimed 11 district titles, with 23 appearances in the MHSAA playoffs.
Jimmy Parker
Slow Pitch Softball | Trae Embry (Neshoba Central High School)
Coach Trae Embry has coached for 17 years. He arrived at Neshoba Central in 2012 and has created a softball powerhouse, with six slow pitch state titles and seven fast pitch state crowns. His slow pitch squad won its fourth consecutive slow pitch state championship in 2015, his sixth slow pitch crown since 2005. Overall, his slow pitch teams have a record of 354–96 losses. Amazingly, Coach Embry’s slow pitch and fast pitch squads have won state championships in the same seasons in 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2014.
Trae Embry
Swimming | Eddie Ware (Clinton High School)
Coach Eddie Ware has spent his entire 16-year coaching career at Clinton, where he worked as an assistant for 7 years and took over as head coach in 2007. He guided the Arrows boys’ swimming team to the 2015 North Half runner-up and a state runner-up finish in the state swimming meet. His 2014 boys’ squad was North Half runner-up. Coach Ware’s boys’ and girls’ swimming teams at Clinton were named to the MHSAA scholar athlete teams for 2014–15.
Eddie Ware
Tennis | Chad Bond (Newton County High School)
Coach Chad Bond has spent his 21-year coaching career at Newton County and served as girls’ soccer coach from 2001 to 2012. His Cougar netters have claimed 12 division titles, 9 state runner-up crowns and 13 championships in the individual state tourney. His girls’ soccer teams compiled a mark of 109–92–15, with 6 division titles and 11 playoff appearances. Coach Bond is a three-time STAR teacher as named by the Mississippi Economic Council.
Chad Bond
Girls’ Track | Chris Patton (Oxford High School)
Coach Chris Patton was an all-SEC thincladder at Ole Miss. He stayed in Oxford to enter the coaching profession in 2008 as an assistant coach before assuming the head coaching position in track and cross country in 2013. In his 8 years as Charger track and cross country coach, he has led the boys’ cross country team to state championships in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, his girls’ track team won the Class 5A state championship.
Boys’ Track | Chris Greer (Myrtle High School)
Chris Patton
For 22 years, Coach Chris Greer has coached girls’ and boys’ basketball, track and cross country at Lafayette, Potts Camp and Myrtle. His combined record in track meets is 212–105 with the girls and 96–39 with the boys. His Myrtle Lady Hawks track teams have won six Class 1A state championships, with nine Class 1A state cross country titles. His boys’ track teams have captured five Class 1A cross country crowns. In 2016, his Hawks track squad won the Class 1A track state championship.
Volleyball | Mike Meyers (Our Lady Academy High School)
Coach Mike Meyers began his 25-year coaching career in 1975 where he coached football and baseball in the state of Louisiana. Coach Meyers arrived at Our Lady Academy in 2000 and, since then, he has paced the Lady Crescents to a record of 464–112. Coach Meyers has guided Our Lady Academy to an amazing 16 division titles and 10 state volleyball championships. In 2015, the Lady Crescents captured their fourth consecutive state championship, their eighth state crown in 10 years. 12 M ississippi C oac h – fall 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
Chris Greer Mike Meyers
Also, Congratulations to MAC
Community College Coaches
Coaches of the Year! Men’s Basketball | Jason Flanigan (Holmes Community College)
Jason Flanigan
Coach Jason Flanigan has been the Bulldog head coach at Holmes for eight seasons. Before then, he worked as an assistant coach at Ole Miss and Xavier at New Orleans, where the Gold Rush made two straight NAIA tournament appearances. He arrived as an assistant at Holmes in 2005 and helped the Bulldogs capture back-to-back MACJC state championships in 2006 and 2007. In the 2015–16 season, Coach Flanigan guided Holmes to a record of 18–7 and an appearance in the finals of the MACJC state tournament and in the finals of the Region 23 tournament.
Women’s Basketball | Crandal Porter (East Central Community College)
Crandal Porter
Coach Crandal Porter previously served as boys’ basketball coach at Louisville High from 2000 to 2001 and girls’ head basketball coach at Newton High from 2001 to 2011. He paced his Tiger girls’ squad to the Class 2A state championships in 2005 and 2010 and led his boys’ team to the 2008 Class 2A state crown. He was previously named MAC Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2010. In his fourth year with the Lady Warriors, Coach Porter led his team to a record of 24–3, capturing the MACJC state championship and an appearance in the Region 23 tournament. During the season, he guided his team to a 19-game winning streak. He was also named the MACJC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
Baseball | Neal Holliman (East Central Community College)
Neal Holliman
Coach Neal Holliman led his Warriors diamond club to a record of 38–17, the 2016 MACJC state championship and a runner-up finish in the Region 23 tournament. He earned a degree from Southern Miss while playing pro baseball for the Meridian Brakemen of the Independent Big South League. Upon his arrival as an assistant coach at East Central in 1998, the Warriors claimed their first state championship and a Region 23 appearance. In his 10 seasons as head coach, the Warriors have claimed MACJC state titles in 2007 and 2013, with 4 Region 23 tournament appearances. Coach Holliman was recognized as MACJC Baseball Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2016.
Football | Jack Wright (Northwest Community College) & Ken Karcher (East Central Community College)
Jack Wright
Ken Karcher
For the sixth straight year, the MAC has selected Co-Coaches of the Year for community college football. Coach Jack Wright recently departed the Northwest C.C. Ranger program for a position as the offensive line coach at Southern Miss. He served as Ranger offensive coordinator from 2008 to 2012 before being named head coach. In his two years as Ranger head mentor, Jack’s teams compiled a record of 15–7 and made the MACJC playoffs each season. His 2015 Rangers had an 11–1 record, won the MACJC state title and claimed the school’s third NJCAA national championship, its first in 23 years. In addition to his year’s MAC award, Coach Wright was also named NJCAA National Football Coach of the Year. Coach Ken Karcher guided the East Central Warriors in 2015 to its first state playoff appearance since 2001 and a C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl victory. His team had an overall record of 8–3 and was ranked #10 in the final NJCAA Top 20 football poll. Coach Karcher played quarterback at Notre Dame and Tulane before backing up John Elway with the Denver Broncos for two seasons. Now entering his fourth season at East Central, he paced the Warriors to their first bowl game since 1996 and only the fourth bowl game in school history.
Golf | Tommy Snell (Gulf Coast Community College)
Tommy Snell
Coach Tommy Snell has led the Bulldog linksters since 2000. In 2016, his golf team won its second consecutive MACJC state title and its ninth straight Region 23 crown. The Bulldogs finished 4th in the NJCAA National Golf championships, their 9th consecutive year finishing 13th or better. Under Coach Snell, Gulf Coast has claimed seven state championships and an incredible five runner-up finishes and nine Region 23 titles, with nine national tournament appearances. He is a seven-time MACJC and nine-time Region 23 Coach of the Year. Coach Snell was inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015. www.mscoaches.com – fall 2016 – M ississippi C oac h 13
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Men’s Soccer | Doug Williams (Hinds Community College)
Coach Doug Williams is entering his 16th season as the Eagles’ head soccer coach. Under his guidance, the Eagles soccer squad has won more than 75% of their games, along with 8 MACJC state titles and 7 Region 23 championships. In 2015, Coach Williams led the Eagles to a record of 12–6, a North Division title, a runner-up finish in the state tournament, a Region 23 crown and an appearance in the NJCAA national tournament. In addition to the MAC recognition, Doug has been named MACJC Coach of the Year eight times and Region 23 Coach of the Year six times.
Doug Williams
Women’s Soccer | Jack Byrd (Pearl River Community College)
Coach Jack Byrd previously served two seasons as an assistant for the Pearl River Wildcats from 2007 to 2009, when he was unanimously selected as head coach. In 2015, Coach Byrd paced the Wildcats to a record of 15–2, a second consecutive MACJC state title, a Region 23 crown and an appearance in the NJCAA national tournament. Overall, his women’s soccer teams have complied a mark of 110–16–2, including 3 South Division crowns, 4 MACJC state championships and 4 Region 23 tournament appearances.
Jack Byrd
Softball | Chris Robinson (Jones County Junior College
Now entering his eighth year as head coach of the Bobcat program, Coach Chris Robinson guided his team last year to the brink of a national championship. His 2016 squad finished with a school record of 50–8, with its 4th straight MACJC state championship, the school’s first-ever Region 23 championship and a national runner-up finish in the NJCAA national tournament. Overall, he has a record of 282–89, and his teams have claimed four consecutive MACJC state titles, four Region 23 appearances with one title and four straight appearances in the NJCAA National tournament.
Chris Robinson
Men’s Tennis – Women’s Tennis | Wanda McPhail (Meridian Community College)
An outstanding high school and community college coach for three decades, Coach Wanda McPhail has served as the Eagles’ tennis coach since 2000 and has guided Meridian to 9 MACJC state titles, 19 Region 23 titles and appearances in the NJCAA national tennis tournament for the past 13 seasons. Her 2016 Eagles men’s and women’s tennis netters advanced to win Region 23 and another appearance at the NJCAA national tennis tournament. Coach McPhail has previously been named Coach of the Year by the MACJC five times and the Mississippi Association of Tennis Coaches four times. She is also a member of the MACJC Halls of Fame. R
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14 M ississippi C oac h – fall 2016
Wanda McPhail