MERIDIAN —
East Central Community College has elected not to retain head football coach Brian Anderson for the 2013 season, ECCC President Billy W. Stewart announced Tuesday.
According to school reports, Stewart made the announcement following Tuesday's meeting of the college's board of trustees, which approved the change in leadership for the program.
“We have decided to go in a different direction with our football program effective today (December 4, 2012),” Stewart said. “Brian Anderson will be reassigned to other duties at the College until his contract expires on June 30, 2013. We thank Brian for his five years of service to the East Central football team.”
Anderson led the Warriors to a 9-27 record during his four years as head coach. He was named head coach on an interim basis in 2009, when the Warriors went 2-7. After posting 2-7 season in 2010 and 2011, ECCC finished the past season 3-6.
“I'd like to thank East Central for the opportunity to serve as head football coach,” Anderson said. “The kids that we have recruited and the coaches I have worked along side for several years have been a joy to be around. I have met a lot of great people during my time at East Central.
“As coaches, we are stubborn, and we want to do things people say can't be done. East Central is a place where we wanted to turn the tide and try to build a winning tradition there. Things just didn't work out.”
Anderson was not given a chance to break the news to his former players, as the school has asked him not to speak with the team at this time.
“The school thought it would be in the best interest for me not to speak with the team,” Anderson said. “I would like to, at some point, be allowed to address the team.”
Anderson said he was not surprised and said the decision was mutual in order to allow the school to find a replacement and continue its recruiting for the upcoming season.
The native of Prattville, Ala., Anderson is a former assistant at Neshoba Central High School from 1996-97 and at Meridian in 1999-2003. The former head coach said he will now take time to consult with his family before deciding on his future.
“It is really what is best for my family and I,” Anderson said. “That is something that everybody says, but I mean it. Every move that we make, we make for our children first. This is a decision that will be prayed over, and God will put us where he wants us.”
According to a school report, applications for a new football coach will be received until Dec. 26. A committee headed by athletic director Chris Harris will interview candidates and submit a recommendation for consideration.
“I am confident that several qualified candidates will be interested in leading the Warrior football team as we strive for excellence in the classroom and on the field of play,” Stewart said. “We hope to name a new head football coach in January 2013 and present that recommendation for ratification by the College’s Board of Trustees at their February 2013 meeting. We then look forward to working with the new coach and our student-athletes to move our program forward and achieve great things both academically and athletically.”
Sports
Anderson out as head coach at East Central
- Sports
-
-
Roy shows big-league talent in win
Every youth leaguer dreams of being a Major League Baseball player. In Tuesday's Cardinals-Mets game, 8-year-old Trace Roy swung the bat and flashed some leather that looked like a glimpse into the future.
-
Cougars fall in Game 1
A sixth inning rally by Lewisburg handed the Newton County Cougars their first lost of the postseason, 2-0, in Game 1 of the Class 4A baseball championship at Trustmark Park.
-
Bulldogs win again, beat S. Carolina in SEC Tournament
Demarcus Henderson and Wes Rea both had RBI singles in the ninth inning to lift Mississippi State to a 5-3 win over South Carolina Wednesday night in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.
The Bulldogs (42-16) loaded the bases with one out before Henderson and Rea drove in runs on consecutive at-bats for the second time in the game.
Mississippi State had beaten Missouri 2-1 in 17 innings Tuesday night, matching the longest game in SEC tournament history.
Reliever Myles Gentry (4-0) limited the Gamecocks (39-17) to a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth.
Gentry pitched 5-2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out eight.
Rea was 3 for 4 while Henderson drove in three runs.
Mississippi State led 3-0 before South Carolina tied it up in the fourth.
Max Schrock drew a bases loaded walk and Brison Celek followed with a two-run single. -
Hogs top Ole Miss in SEC Tournament
For the second time this season the Rebels played an extra-inning affair with the Razorbacks, but with a different outcome as No. 21 Ole Miss (37-21) fell to No. 15 Arkansas (36-19) 2-1 in 10 innings on Wednesday.
-
Fundamentals leading Newton County to Jackson
In 2006, Newton County baseball won the 3A state title. Since then, they've moved up a class but haven't had much luck – until now.
-
Roy takes over as football head coach at Clarkdale
After nine years serving as an assistant on the Clarkdale football coaching staff, Wes Roy proudly considers himself a Bulldog. The coach has not only grown to love the team and its players, but also the Clarkdale community itself.
-
Bennett stays on as softball coach at Clarkdale
In one season as the interim coach for the Clarkdale softball team, Britt Bennett has gone through what most coaches go through in a career. Over the past year, Clarkdale has dealt with the death of two students, a coaching scandal and the departure of two star players.
-
Titles nothing new for Newton County
Newton County captured its seventh fast-pitch state championship, outscoring defending champion Houston 26-3 in two games. The Cougars took home the title despite not having a single senior on their roster –– still, few were surprised.
-
Embry completes 5A title sweep
In his first year coaching the Neshoba Central softball team, Trae Embry won two state titles but wouldn't take all the credit.
-
Morgan takes runner-up at Nationals
Meridian Community College golfer, TJ Morgan, from Bruce, MS, tied for the
individual medalist at the NJCAA D1 National Championship held in Lubbock, TX, but lost on the first hole of a playoff. TJ shot 7 under for the tournament with a 76 on the first day followed by 68, 67 and a last round 70. Aksel Olsen from Wallace State Community College won the playoff. TJ was named First Team All-American for his high finish. - More Sports Headlines
-
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
