Tracking MHSAA, MAIS football coaching changes after 2025 season in Mississippi
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The 2025 Mississippi high school football playoffs are complete with the conclusion of the MHSAA and MAIS state championships.
We’re tracking coaching changes in Mississippi following the high school football season.
Here is our running list of changes in 2025-26.
Biloxi
Former coach: Jamey DuBose
DuBose resigned from the Biloxi football program on Dec. 15 after two seasons. He led the Indians to an 8-14 record in two years. DuBose will be the new head coach at Bainbridge High School in Georgia.
New coach: Biloxi is in the search process.
Brandon
Former coach: Lance Pogue
Brandon’s Lance Pogue stepped away from his one-year stint during Week 9 of the 2025 season, and interim coach Eugene Clinton filled in, leading them to the semifinals of the MHSAA 7A playoffs.
New coach: Brandon is in the search process.
Columbus
Former coach: Barrin Simpson
Simpson ends his two-year stint at Columbus with a 4-16 record, missing the playoffs both years in MHSAA 5A.
New coach: Columbus is in the search process.
Harrison Central
Former coach: Nekemia Rich
Rich’s tenure at Harrison Central ends after two seaons where he had 3-17 record and did not reach the playoffs MHSAA 7A playoffs.
New coach: Harrison Central is in the search process.
Madison St. Joseph Catholic
Former coach: Jason Moore
Moore ends his four-year campaign with the Bruins after finishing the season 2-8 in MIAS 4A. Moore went 14-29 in his four seasons.
New coach: Madison St. Joseph is in the search process.
Meridian
Former coach: Shelton Gandy
Gandy resigned on Nov. 14 after two seasons with Meridian, where the Wildcats went 6-15 and missed the playoffs both seasons.
New coach: Tony Vance
The 50-year-old returned to high school football in Mississippi after a season away (in 2025) as the offensive coordinator at Theodore High in Alabama. Vance announced his retirement in Mississippi as Hattiesburg’s coach after the 2024 season before he became an assistant at Theodore. He led Hattiesburg to an MHSAA 6A state title appearance but fell, 43-14, to Grenada in 2024. His first head coaching job in Mississippi was at Charleston (2008-12), winning the MHSAA 3A title in 2011.
North Panola
Former coach: Richard Russo
Russo resigned from North Panola on Nov. 18 after a one-year stint during which the Cougars finished the 2025 season 5-5.
New coach: North Panola is in the search process.
Pascagoula
Former coach: Lewis Sims
Longtime coach Sims stepped down after 15 seasons with Pascagoula’s program. He went 103-77 overall and had an 11-11 playoff record.
New coach: Pascagoula is in the search process.
South Panola
Former coach: Brooks Oakley
Oakley resigned from South Panola after four seasons in which he was 35-12 and never had a losing season. South Panola fell in the first round of the MHSAA 6A playoffs.
New coach: South Panola is in the search process.
West Jones
Former coach: Cory Reynolds
West Jones coach Reynolds resigned on Dec. 3 after two seasons with the program, which included a 2023 MHSAA 6A championship. He had a 30-7 record with the Mustangs.
New coach: Scott Pierson
Scott Pierson returned to West Jones football on Dec. 9. He replaced Cory Reynolds, who resigned on Dec. 2 after two seasons. Pierson returns after a two-year absence, where he coached the Mustangs for 21 seasons from 2002-22. Pierson retired from coaching in the spring of 2023 but found his way back and will also serve as West Jones’ athletic director. In 21 seasons with the program, he had a 195-65 record and a 29-17 record in the MHSAA playoffs. He led West Jones to a Class 5A state championship in 2020.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MHSAA, MAIS football caching change tracker for 2025-26 season in Mississippi
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos