Ray Ishee is looking forward to a new challenge. TheCopiah-Lincoln Community College Dean of Students has accepted thedual role of high school principal and head football coach atBrookhaven Academy.

Ishee, 53, has served as Dean of Students at Co-Lin since 1990.He was head coach at Co-Lin from 1985-90, winning a statechampionship and East Bowl in 1985. His Wolves won South Divisionchampionships in 1986 and 1989. They were ranked in the NJCAA TopTen four years.

Regarding his new position, Ishee said, “I’m excited about thejob. It’s a real good environment at Brookhaven Academy and I wantto contribute to that.”

Ishee replaces Doug Clanton as head football coach at BrookhavenAcademy. Clanton coached the Cougars for two years, compilingback-to-back 6-5 records. Clanton recently accepted the headcoaching job at Adams County Christian School in Natchez.

As principal, Ishee replaces Greg Whittier who will remain onstaff as a chemistry and physics teacher.

Ishee has been in public school education for 32 years. Hiscontract at Co-Lin expires July 1. A standout linebacker at JonesCounty Junior College and Delta State University, he graduated fromTaylorsville High School in 1966.

Dan Boyce, recently approved and named new headmaster atBrookhaven Academy, said he was pleased to have Ishee working withhim. “We are tremendously excited about Coach Ishee joining ouradministrative staff at Brookhaven Academy. He has a strong recordof accomplishments in the field of education. We believe that basedon the strength of his character and experience, the students andfaculty alike will benefit from his leadership.”

As a coach, Ishee had experience at Delta State, Greenwood andCleveland before coming to Co-Lin in 1979 where he served asdefensive coordinator on James H. Sloan’s staff for six years.

Ishee coached several outstanding defensive players at Co-Lin,among them Victor Green, now with the New York Jets; and GregBriggs who played for the Dallas Cowboys.

Married to the former Rhonda Wilson of Brookhaven, Ishee and hiswife have two children. Marci is a student at Millsaps College andBrad is a pharmacist in Madison. They have two grandchildren.

Ken Powell, Brookhaven Academy school board president, saidIshee would be an asset to the school. “Coach Ishee has high moralstandards and a strong Christian character. We are delighted tohave him on our staff as an administrator and a coach.”

Ishee said he was looking forward to coaching football again.”You have to start from the bottom and build a good program. Peopleout there want to have a successful program.”

As Dean of Students at Co-Lin, Ishee was responsible for allaspects of Student Services, including budget and personnelmanagement in the following areas: Financial Aid,recruitment/counseling, discipline, housing, health services,campus police, golf course and athletic programs.

He is a deacon at Wesson Baptist Church and serves as a Sundayschool teacher.