2009

WEEKOF ~J~~~-~d~)_- ~0-~~--

ECCC removes interbn tag from Anderson By Marty Stamper Appeal Sports Edrtor East Central Community College concluded its search for a new head football coach by simply remo' ing the \\Ord "interim" from that of 2009 coach Brian Anderson. Ander-.on Brian was named Anderson interun head coach in mid-July following the sudden resignation of Steve Cheatham due to health concerns. EC president Dr. Phil Sutphin nominated Ander– son, 36, for the position and the Board of Trustees rubber stamped the choice in its December 15 meeting. According to a press release, Sutphin said that Anderson "has the presence, energy and enthusiasm to move the College's football program to a respectable level over the next decade. During the current year, the level of team discipline and the results in the classroom have demonstrated a commit– ment to the student athlete." JOined the EC staff in 2008 a' offensive coordinator, running backs and quarterbacks coach, and

Dr. Sutpbm ftirlher stated his selection of Anderson "is driven by my desire to build on the foundation that has begun over the last two years and to reinforce the current recruitment process that has continued despite the 4f1Cer– tainty of the search process." The other two candidates interviewed were Lake native and Coahoma Community College head football coach and ~ athletic=> director Freeman Horton and Lou.is– ,;lle H1gh ~bool head coach Brad Peterson. Ali rson " e atea v.1Jt"D infonned of the dec 1 - Ston ~I urn .,-ery proud to be chosen head coach ''A.s l said when I \\as :~Iected on an interim basJs, lt : .a great opponunity, a pn lege and an honor to serve a:- East Central's bead footba~I coach I certainly apprectate the confidence Continued on sc... See Anderson...

Anderson... Continued from 4C..• shown in me by Dr. Sutphin and the College's Board of Trustees. I'm very excited about being head coach and look forward to continuing our efforts to help build the best football pro– gram possible at East Central Community College." This past fall was EC's eighth straight losing season. The Warriors finished 2-7 overall under Anderson in 2009 and their 0-6 South Division record left them in the league cellar. Anderson intends to recruit EC's five-county dis– trict hard when it comes to filling his roster. "My approach is probably going to be a little different than ithas been in the past," Anderson said. "The other day we offered 31 players within our district. The previ– ous year we offered 15. We've got to do a better job of getting the best players in our district. That's first and foremost. "Recruiting out of district and out ofstate boils down to connections and people you know and that trust you and want to send players to you.

"We've several Division 1 signces coming in at Christmas from South Carolina and Marshall, and a couple of other out-of-state recruits that art going to be big for us. "Recruiting is the name of the game. You 've constantly got to be looking for players and also have a staff with a shared vision." Anderson was told in thi process he would be allowed to choose his assistants. "I've had the opportunity to have been here and see the things you think can be .improved upon,'' Anderson said. "Planning is fun to me. Organization is fun to me:· Anderson hopes to usc some ofwhat he teamed pla)– ing center at Mississippi State from 1992-95 under coach Jackie Sherrill to tum the Warriors' fortunes armmd. "He always carried around that little notebook and was constantly wriling things," Andersou said. "You've got to coach each play each day. PreparatiOn and organization is some– tiling that I'm con~tantly try– ing to better myself ''I'm excited about our plan and getting the opportu . nity to put it in place."' got

:NESHOBA DEMOCRAT____ SCOTT COUNTY TIMES____

APPEAL ~ SPIRIT OF MORTON - ------ MERIDIAN STAR______

WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL__ CLARION-LEDGER _ ____