After eight years at the helm of Neshoba Central’s girls basketball program, Fred Morris has resigned from the position. Neshoba Central boys basketball coach Jerry Byrd has been named Morris’ successor and will continue to head the boys team.

Morris submitted his official resignation March 18.

Morris compiled a 125-79 record and a .612 winning percentage during his tenure, and he guided the Lady Rockets to six appearances in the postseason. He led Neshoba Central to the 2017 MHSAA Class 5A state title to hand the Lady Rockets their first state championship in 26 years.

“I think I’m leaving the program in good shape,” Morris said. “The kids I’ve had have worked hard, and they’ve been coachable. They’ve just been great, and I couldn’t ask for anything more in terms of players working hard and being coachable, and the parents have been great, also. They’ve allowed me to come in and be demanding and coach their kids and push them hard.”

Morris, a Macon native, played collegiately at Fresno Pacific University. The conclusion of the 2018-19 season capped his 18th year as a head coach. 

Neshoba Central went 18-7 last season and claimed the Region 3-5A championship. The Lady Rockets advanced to the MHSAA Class 5A quarterfinals, where they dropped a four-point contest to Germantown. 

In 2017, Morris and the Lady Rockets rattled off a nine-game, late-season win streak en route to beating West Point 56-45 in the state title game. The championship was Neshoba Central’s first since 1991. 

“That was a special group of kids,” Morris recalled. “Most of those kids I had ever since seventh grade. They were raw, and they just matured as basketball players and as people. They stayed the course. That group was a joy to coach, in terms of toughness and perseverance and understanding what we were trying to do. I think that team epitomized everything we were about.”

Byrd served as Morris’ assistant for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and guided the Neshoba Central boys to an appearance in the 2017 MHSAA Class 5A championship game. He credited Morris with handing over a well-stocked program.

“Coach Morris has done a tremendous job,” Byrd said. “He’s had great success, and what we want to do is build on it from there and hopefully try to continue the success he’s had. I’m excited about the opportunity to do it. We met with the kids, and we’re just excited to get started.”

While Byrd is eager to begin his new role with the Lady Rockets, he said his excitement is somewhat tapered, as Morris’ resignation signaled the departure of a lifelong friend.

“We’ve known each other since we were about 12 years old,” Byrd said. “We’ve worked together for eight years, and he’s just one of the best people I’ve ever been around. His loyalty and support as a friend, and just somebody to talk basketball with every day — I’ve just been grateful for the opportunity to work with him. To work with a friend in this profession is a real opportunity, and I appreciate it, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to work with him.”  

Morris offered his appreciation to the players who have come through his program over the last eight seasons.

“I hope that they saw that I tried to be a change factor in the lives of the young ladies I worked with, and I hope that I impacted their lives as they impacted mine,” Morris said. “I want to thank all the kids who have played in the program, and it’s been a joy. It’s been a nice ride. I leave with the utmost respect for all the kids and all the parents who have been in the program.”