By Angie Ledbetter

After three coaches departed South Panola to take head coaching jobs in the spring, the staff is finally complete as two former coaches return along with one new coach.

Houston Ealy

Coach Houston Ealy was head football coach at Pope for two years before taking a head coaching job at J. J. McClain in the spring of 2011. Ealy stayed for one season going 8-4 and was eliminated from the first round of playoffs.

“Being head coach was a great experience for me,” Ealy said. “ I learned a lot about coaching and also learned I had more room to grow as a coach and myself.

“I was blessed because Coach Lance Pogue called me one night and asked me if I’d be interested in coming back to South Panola and for me it was a no-brainer,” Ealy continued. “It was a huge opportunity for me to learn more about football, program management and develop my skills as a coach working for Pogue and at South Panola.”

Ealy returned April 3 to coach tight ends and fullbacks.

“It’s been fun so far and a learning experience,” he said. “I’m really enjoying working with the coaches and the kids. Also it’s about me helping to make these kids better and get them back to Jackson. It’s a work in progress and we just have to take it one day at a time.”

Jamie Easley

Jamie Easley just returned to South Panola after a four-month stint at Red Bay, Ala. Easley had started with Pogue in 2008 but the defensive coordinator left after four years on March 8 to take a head coaching position at 2A Red Bay.

After a brief stay where Easley led Red Bay through spring practice, he resigned as the Tiger’s head coach on July 9 because his wife, Kerry, a special education certified teacher, could not find a job in the school system.  

Kerry Easley’s contract at South Panola was due to expire on July 31 so she retained her position since it had not been filled and the Easley family returned to Batesville.

Easley will start his duties next week coaching defensive backs and be heavily involved with the whole defense.

“Things didn’t work out at Red Bay and I’m just proud to be back,” he said.

Milton Talbert

New to the South Panola family is Milton Talbert from Hattiesburg. Talbert played four years of football at the University of Alabama where he won four championship rings.

The defensive end and linebacker was coached by Mike Shula and Nick Saban. He played against local NFL players Peria Jerry, Jamarca Sanford, Michael Oher and John Jerry.

“At first I wanted to play in the NFL but injuries prevented that so I just got my education,” Talbert said.

Talbert graduated in December 2011 with a degree in secondary education and social science.

“At first I didn’t want to coach but wanted to go to school and be a teacher,” he said. “I got away from the game a little while and my heart kind of changed and I had the opportunity to coach so I did.”

Talbert was a substitute teacher at Hattiesburg and coaching at Hattiesburg High School.

“I got a call from Pogue and Coach Dickerson and it went from there,” he said. “I already knew a lot about South Panola from when I played high school football. I remember them being a real dominant team and being the team to beat in the state of Mississippi.”

Talbert cannot describe his experience at South Panola so far in just one word.

“I do see why South Panola has won championship after championship because the work ethic of the people here is unbelievable,” Talbert said. “All the coaches have taken me under their wing and helped me in every way possible. I’m learning so much from them because all of them are really smart and great at what they do.”

Coaching the defensive line, Talbert said they’re going to take it one game at a time and be the best that they  can be.

“Words to describe the defensive line is a work in progress,” he said.

Talbert got married June 16. He and his wife, Karen, will be teaching at the high school where he’ll teach geography and economics and she will teach language arts and reading.

South Panola opens the season Saturday, August 18, hosting West Point at 7:30 p.m.