By By Jared Florreich/staff writer
July 13, 2003
Derek Pouncy and Darryl Jones were named the new head coaches Thursday at Northwest Junior High and Kate Griffin, respectively.
Meridian High athletic director Vince McLemore said both were good hires.
Meridian High head football coach Ed Stanley was glad to get both coaches in place.
Pouncy and Jones replace Kirby Newell and Mike Thomas, respectively. McLemore said Newell and Thomas will continue to teach in the Meridian Public Schools system, while pursuing other interests.
Derek Pouncy, an assistant for the past three years at Northwest, is following in the footsteps of his father, Curt. Curt is the current head principal at Northwest and served as head football coach from 1983-89 and 1991-97.
The Northwest ninth grade team went 5-1 last year, and the eighth graders went 6-0. Pouncy said he expects the program to continue to be successful.
Darryl Jones, an assistant last year at Kate Griffin, had previous stints at Northeast and Clarkdale schools.
The Kate Griffin ninth grade team finished 4-3, and the eighth graders finished 1-6. Jones said he plans to get the program to a higher level of success.
Both coaches said they plan to work with Meridian High head football coach Ed Stanley to get MHS back to the football power it once was.
out to play, and both see the big picture. The kids are buying into what we're trying to do. They (players) want to win and be a part of a successful program It's coming together and good things are starting to happen."
The traditional cross-town rival game between the two schools has been dominated in recent years by Northwest. Both coaches are looking forward to future heated games.
Assistant coaching jobs have yet to be filled, but both coaches said they expect to be at full staff in a few weeks.