| EMCC's Buddy Stephens reloads football coaching staff |
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SCOOBA – Head football coach Buddy Stephens of the reigning state champion East Mississippi Lions has completed his 2010 EMCC coaching staff with the hiring of assistant coaches Andy Siegal, Larry Williams and Josh Pruitt. The school’s football staff additions have been approved by EMCC President Dr. Rick Young and EMCC Vice President/Director of Athletics Mickey Stokes.
A 22-year coaching veteran who will serve as EMCC’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Siegal previously spent a total of 10 seasons serving separate stints as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the College of the Sequoias in California and Dodge City (Kan.) Community College. Most recently, the Deerfield, Ill., native worked the 2009 campaign as an assistant offensive line coach on Larry Fedora’s coaching staff at the University of Southern Mississippi. In his one year at USM, the Golden Eagles ranked 13th nationally in passing efficiency and 18th in scoring offense. In four seasons (2005-08) at the College of the Sequoias, Siegal helped guide the Giants to a composite 24-18 record, including back-to-back bowl game appearances in 2005 and 2006. In tutoring numerous all-Americans and all-conference performers at COS, Siegal’s offensive units consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders. Prior to his stint in the California junior college ranks, Siegal had similar coaching responsibilities in six successful seasons (1999-2004) as assistant coach/offensive coordinator at Dodge City CC in Kansas. With a bachelor’s degree in physical education/teaching from Winona State (Minn.) University and a master’s in kinesiology from Southern Arkansas University, Siegal replaces Mike Volarvich, who was hired to be the offensive coordinator at Henderson State University in Arkansas. One of the most respected defensive coaches in the Mississippi junior college ranks, Williams spent the past seven seasons as the defensive coordinator at Hinds Community College, where the Eagles consistently ranked among the top half of the MACJC South Division’s team statistical leaders in total defense. In Williams’ first two seasons at Hinds, the Eagles posted back-to-back 9-2 campaigns that were highlighted by successive state runner-up finishes to Pearl River in 2003 and 2004. A former standout at Mississippi Delta Community College and Mississippi State University, Williams returned to his junior college roots to begin his coaching career with a six-year stint at MDCC. Serving as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator and defensive line coach from 1997 until 2002, Williams helped guide Delta to a pair of state runner-up finishes (2001 & 1997) and a state semifinal-round showing in 2000. Having prepped at Indianola Gentry High School, Williams capped a successful two-year playing stint at Mississippi Delta by helping lead the undefeated Trojans to the 1993 NJCAA Championship and garnering second-team NJCAA All-America honors. He continued his gridiron excellence under the guidance of former head coach Jackie Sherrill at Mississippi State, where he led the Bulldogs in sacks both seasons (1994 & 1995) and was selected as MSU’s Defensive MVP in the Peach Bowl following his junior year. As EMCC’s new defensive line coach, Williams replaces Ed Holly, who returned to his home state of Florida with his family to pursue other career opportunities. A native of Ellsworth, Kan., Pruitt takes over for Tommy Ferrill, who left EMCC this spring for a football coaching position at Biloxi High School. Pruitt most recently spent three months as the wide receivers coach at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., following a five-year association with Troy (Ala.) University as a player and graduate assistant coach. After transferring from Garden City Community College, Pruitt saw action in 21 games in two seasons as a tight end and special teams player at Troy, where he was a member of the Trojans’ 2006 squad that claimed the first of four consecutive Sun Belt Conference championships and defeated Rice in the New Orleans Bowl. Pruitt then stayed on board Larry Blakeney’s Troy coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from Troy in 2006 and 2008, respectively, Pruitt served as the team’s tight ends coach while also assisting with offensive line coaching duties. During Pruitt’s three years on Troy’s staff, the Trojans claimed three straight Sun Belt Conference titles and made back-to-back bowl appearances in 2008 (New Orleans Bowl) and 2009 (GMAC Bowl). |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 14 May 2010 ) |
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