It's the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) annual convention week. A time for high school coaches from throughout the state to converge on the Jackson area to soak up knowledge and renew friendships.
Area coaches attending include Kosciusko football coach Kelly Causey, Ethel football coach Dave McCrory. McAdams football coach Kenneth Nelson, Ethel athletic director Corey Parish, Kosciusko girls basketball coach Cory Guyton, and Winona Christian School football coach and athletic director Junior Graham.
The convention is a learning experience for coaches with sessions led by high school, junior college and college coaches in every sport for boys and girls, including the so-called minor sports like bowling and archery. There are also sessions on cheerleading.
“It is extremely effective,” Guyton said of the convention, which he attends every year.
“The times I have been it has been really informative hearing other coaches’ point of view and strategies,” Parish said. “Sometimes you get caught in a box thinking you know everything. Then you get other peoples’ point of view. A light goes on and you say ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’”
Causey said he doesn’t expect to learn a new offense or defense. “But you might learn a new concept based upon your offense or defense. A lot of times you will get some good ideas on drills by watching guys sharing their videos.
“Most coaches don’t let all of their secrets out. But you can come away with some good ideas. If you can learn something to improve your program, it’s worth going.”
Graham, an Ethel native, has been attending the convention for 32 years and he was MAC president nine years ago when he was the football coach at Eupora. “It's awesome. It's top notch,” he said. “We have people coming from other states to see how well it's organized. They are amazed.”
Graham said he enjoys hearing the philosophies of other coaches. “But the biggest thing is just to catch up with lifetime friends. I see them once a year.”
Guyton learns from other coaches, especially coaches with a great deal of experience. “Coaches will show us things they do that are effective.”
McCrory said “You never know what you might pick up. Every year, I learn something.”
In his first year as McAdams football coach, Nelson will be attending the convention for the first time. “I’m going down there for the rules meetings and to network with other coaches.”
Parish did say he would like to see more sessions on power lifting. “I wish they had a few more to come in and demonstrate techniques and how they run their programs. The world of strength has so many different philosophies.”
There are two power lifting sessions this year. The Mississippi High School Activities Association will have a “Rules & Eligibility” session and Velma Jackson coach Casey Meeks will be the presenter for a session.
The Hilton Hotel in Jackson is headquarters for the convention, but there are also sessions at Pearl High School, Ridgeland High School, Millsaps College, Tougaloo College and River Hills Country Club.
Prominent presenters include Mississippi State head football coach Jim Moorhead, Arkansas head football coach Chad Morris, Southern Mississippi head basketball coach Jay Ladner, Mississippi Braves manager Chris Maloney, Ole Miss offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez and Auburn head softball coach Eric Newell.
