Bolden hits ground running at JCJC
Published 11:07 pm Friday, May 26, 2017
- Former Meridian boys basketball coach Randy Bolden is introduced as Jones County Junior College’s new men’s basketball at the school earlier this month.
After spending a year as an assistant coach, Randy Bolden is once again taking the reins of a basketball program.
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The former Meridian boys basketball coach accepted the men’s basketball head coaching position at Jones County Junior College earlier this month, following a one-season stint as an assistant coach at Hinds Community College. Bolden replaces Rahim Lockhart, who left JCJC to become an assistant coach at Ole Miss.
“Jones has a great administration, a great facility and great faculty,” Bolden said. “They’re very supportive, so the decision was pretty easy.”
Bolden left Meridian following the 2015-16 season for Hinds in order to start learning the ropes in terms of coaching at the junior college level. Bolden said the experience proved invaluable and helped prepare him for the task at JCJC.
“Hinds was a great experience for me,” Bolden said. “I got a chance to learn about recruiting and the ins and outs of the college business. I also got to work with (head) coach (Ralph) Moore and pick his brain about basketball, and that was very instrumental to me.”
It feels good to be a head coach again, Bolden said, especially since he has a better idea of the recruiting landscape following his time at Hinds.
“I knew in order to get to this league I’d have to get in as an assistant in some capacity,” Bolden explained. “I got a chance to get that year of recruiting under my belt, and it feels good to be the head of my own program again.”
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While there are some similarities between coaching in high school and junior college, Bolden said there are some key differences as well.
“As long as I’ve been doing this, I’ve learned that basketball is basketball, but here, you have more experienced players,” Bolden explained. “Being able to utilize the shot clock, that’s another huge difference.”
Since accepting the position, Bolden said much of his effort has gone toward recruiting and organizing his roster.
“Recruiting is the life of your program, so since day one I’ve been out recruiting,” Bolden said. “I’m also trying to see how the guys returning are doing from an academic standpoint. We want to make sure we’re not only bringing in good basketball players, but guys who are able to succeed academically as well.”
So far, the reception from prospective players has been positive.
“I was hired late and got off to a late start, but given the timing of the hiring and where we are, I think the reception has gone well,” Bolden said.
At least one of Bolden’s incoming players will be a familiar face. Meridian’s David McCoy recently inked with JCJC to continue his basketball career, and Bolden said he’s excited to have a good basketball player with whom he’s already developed a rapport, having coached McCoy through McCoy’s junior season.
“David McCoy was an easy signing for me, simply because I knew what I was getting: A hard-core kid who works hard every day, and a high-character kid who will succeed on the court and in the classroom,” Bolden said. “It was a no-brainer for me.”
Another familiar face will soon be charting his own course as a head coach. Tony Tadlock, who Bolden hired as an assistant at Meridian several years back, recently took the boys basketball head coaching position at Raymond.
“I’m so proud of Tony,” Bolden said. “He’s like a little brother to me. When I hired him five or six years ago I knew he had the potential to be a great coach. I think the sky is the limit for him, and Raymond has hired a tremendous coach and person.”
Finally, Bolden, who had a 227-55 record at Meridian in nine seasons that included one state title and two South State titles, said he was happy to see his former players have success this past season by winning a Class 6A crown.
“It felt really good to see those guys finally win that championship, knowing how hard they worked last year and how much work they put in the year before,” Bolden said. “I stayed in contact with them through the season, and it was just a joy to watch them grow up from one year to the next. I’m also proud for Coach (Ron) Norman. I thought Coach Norman did a great job. He’s been doing it a while, and I think his knowledge and expertise was really instrumental as well.”