By Staff
THE NEW BOSS Coach Alex George talks to his players during recent prep soccer action. Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Austin Bishop/EMG regional sports director
Feb. 19, 2002
Meridian Community College didn't have to go far to find its new soccer coach, as the Eagles dipped into the local high school ranks to hire Alex George.
George comes to MCC with a 156-29 record in his eight years at West Lauderdale, which includes four consecutive trips to the Class 1A-2A-3A State Championship game and a state title in 2000.
George, a graduate of Kemper Academy in DeKalb and the founder of the West Lauderdale boys soccer program, said he understood the task he was undertaking at MCC.
MCC won the NJCAA Division I National Championship in 2000 and has played in the National Tournament in each of the last three years. George replaced Steve Clements, who resigned to take the head coaching job at Tyler (Texas) Junior College.
Clements, who began the MCC program eight years ago, posted a career record of 144-35-2.
While George will be taking over the already established men's program, he will also be directing the fledgling women's team, which will begin with the 2002 season.
The Knights won six district championships, three North State titles and one South State crown under George.
While the exact starting date for George at MCC has not been set, he said that he would get on the recruiting trail right away.
George will also teach history at MCC, something he said he was looking forward to.
George and his wife Denise are the parents of one son, 2-year-old Peyton.