East Mississippi Community College announced Thursday that Starkville Academy product and former Jones Community College kicker and punter Brody Pierce has been named an assistant coach of the Lions’ soccer program.
Pierce joins the soccer team from the football coaching staff where he spent last spring under the guidance of head coach Buddy Stephens as a football assistant, helping evaluate the film of high school and transfer portal players as well as assisting with recruiting and evaluating potential prospects.
“We are very excited to have Brody join our soccer coaching staff,” head soccer coach Chris Rash said in a release. “He is eager to learn and prove himself as a coach at this level. Brody knows what it’s like to handle the pressures of competition and academics at a high level. These experiences will prove invaluable when helping our young student-athletes navigate college life both on and off the soccer field.”
“I’m grateful to Coach Rash for giving me an opportunity to join his staff and excited to be a part of the vision he has for EMCC’s soccer program,” Pierce said. “I’m looking forward to working alongside him and helping our program compete at the highest level while also investing in our student-athletes both on and off the field.”
Switching between sports is nothing new to Pierce, who was a multi-sport athlete during his time at Starkville Academy. He played soccer, baseball, ran track and helped the Volunteers’ football team capture the 2017 MAIS Class 5A state championship. Proficient at soccer, he also earned all-district and all-star soccer honors as the team’s leading scorer during all four years of high school competition.
He went on to play football at Jones Community College as a kicker and punter for the Bobcats and his career was highlighted by his junior season in 2021 in which he finished off the year 37-of-39 on PATs. He also earned Academic All-MACCC recognition and was a member of the NJCAA All-Academic Third Team.
EMCC and Pierce’s family go way back with several of his relatives having attended there. His grandfather Clyde “Baby Doll” Pierce earned JUCO All-American honors under head coach Bob “Bull” Sullivan in 1960. Clyde is enshrined in the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame and has the distinction as the only former Lion to have his jersey number (31) retired. Pierce’s father, Reggie, played football for the Lions from 1992-1993 and two of his uncles, Robbie Pierce (1985) and Mike Pierce (1980-81), played baseball at EMCC. Pierce’s younger brother, Creed, graduated from EMCC earlier this year, and their mother, Jodi, has taught business technology at EMCC’s campus in Mayhew for 27 years.
“East Mississippi Community College has been a part of my family’s story for generations,” Brody Pierce said. “To now have the opportunity to continue that tradition as a full-time coach is an honor. EMCC has given so much to my family, and I’m thankful for the chance to give back.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
