For a third straight season, the Noxubee County High School basketball program will have new head coaches.
Once again, the scramble for a new hire will be taking place close to the start of the school year.
After one season as coach of the Tigers and Lady Tigers, coach Marvin McGee plans to resign tonight at the Noxubee County School Board meeting.
“It’s best for the coach to leave right now,” McGee said. “I care for the kids. That is why I am leaving. I can’t say that others in the school district care about the kids.”
In late July last season, T.J. Billups resigned as coach of both programs after his wife Erica accepted a job in Texas. Billups, a former Mississippi State standout, coached the Noxubee boys for 11 seasons and had the girls for two seasons.
The school then had to hustle to put together a package to bring in McGee.
In his only season, McGee led the boys to a 9-18 record and the girls to an 18-12 mark. Both teams made the Mississippi High School Activities Association playoffs, with the Lady Tigers winning a first-round game.
“Great group of kids, both of them,” McGee said. “They deserve better. The boys were young but they have some play-makers. The girls really played well the second half of the season, including winning the region title.”
According to information supplied by the school, a change in assignments was already planned for this season. McGee was expected to keep the boys, while Jade Stewart was slated to coach the girls team.
Now more changes may be in store after tonight’s meeting.
Meanwhile, McGee said he wants to continue to teach and coach, but would be doing it in another school district.
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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