Dan Presley, an assistant coach at Brookhaven for five years.has been named interim head boys basketball coach for the 2001-02school year. Presley, 47, is a 1972 graduate of Loyd Star. He alsograduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Delta StateUniversity where he obtained a degree in physical education. Heteaches health at BHS.

Presley replaces Preston Wilson who resigned in May to acceptthe head job at Warren Central in Vicksburg.

“Dan has a great attitude and he is a quality individual,” saidBrookhaven Superintendent of Education Dr. Sam Bounds. “He did notpursue the head job. He is content to serve as interim headcoach.”

Bounds said Presley is familiar with the basketball program andthe players. “He knows the program very well and he knows the kids.He took the team through summer basketball camps. I’m confidentCoach Presley will do a good job for us.”

According to Bounds, a number of potential head coaches werecontacted and interviewed. However, the right coach wasn’tavailable.

Bounds said he “was not satisfied with the applicants weinterviewed. Now we will have more time to hire the rightcoach.”

A standout guard on Loyd Star’s state tournament teams of threedecades ago, Presley began his coaching career at Copiah Academy.After two years at Copiah, he went to Wesson and coached for sixyears. He was an assistant coach at Crystal Springs for six years.He spent five years coaching with Wilson at BHS.

“I have mixed emotions,” said Presley. “I’m glad they thinkenough of me to give me the job. I enjoy coaching at Brookhaven. Ihave coached every one of the boys since junior high.

“I’m going to hold the fort down until they find the rightman.”

Presley has been ninth grade coach and assistant varsity coachfor five years. He hopes to have an assistant coach this season towork with the ninth grade.

BHS lost seven seniors from last season’s team to graduation,including four starters: Corey Bryant, Matt Fitzsimmons, DontaeDixon and Maurice Brown. Bryant and Fitzsimmons signed scholarshipswith Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

“I think we have a pretty good nucleus of younger kids comingback so we should be pretty competitive,” said Presley. “Depthshould be a strength.”

The Panthers tip off their season Nov. 1, at Hazlehurst.

Wilson, 33, spent seven years at Brookhaven, six as head coach.He replaced Dale Kimble at the helm. Wilson coached the Panthers tothree state tournament appearances and five 20-plus winseasons.

Wilson’s overall record at BHS was 151 wins and 49 losses,including a 25-9 record this past season. His best record was 30-6in the 1999-2000 campaign.