Brookhaven has added several new coaches to its athleticdepartment in preparation for the 2001-02 school year. They areLauren Collins, Jaymie Palmer, Jules Pitts and CharlesWilloughby.

“I’ve been more than pleased with our new coaches,” saidBrookhaven athletic director and head football coach AndrewHickman. “They have all shown they are willing to work hard and dowhat it takes to make our program successful.”

Hickman was hired last April after coaching at George County. Hereplaced Greg Wall who returned to South Pike after five years atBHS.

Collins, 60, former head football coach at Northeast CommunityCollege in Booneville for five years, is the new offensive linecoach at BHS. A Jones County native, he graduated from Laurel in1959 and signed a scholarship with Mississippi State to playquarterback. He transferred to Delta State and graduated with abachelor’s degree in physical education, math and driver’seducation. He obtained a master’s in PE from Ole Miss.

“I’ve been real pleased with the athletes I’ve been coaching,”said Collins. “Their attitude and level of conditioning has beengreat.”

Collins coached the Panthers during spring practice. He willserve as golf coach in the spring.

Collins is single. He has two children, a married daughter,Lauren, who lives in Byram; and a son, Michael, who was recentlyhired as a coach and teacher at Clarksdale Junior High.

Palmer, 24. is a Lawrence County native. He obtained a master’sdegree in kinesiology from the University of Alabama, serving as agraduate assistant on Mike Dubose’s staff. He graduated fromLawrence County High School in 1995 and was a pitcher on theCopiah-Lincoln Community College baseball team.

He will coach the defensive line and work as an assistant withthe baseball team.

Palmer graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in2000, with a bachelor’s degree in coaching/sports administrationand a minor in history. He he married to the former Lori Meyers ofMonticello.

“I’m glad to be back home,” said Palmer. “I’m looking forward tocoaching here.”

Pitts, 24, is from Milton, Fla. He played for Coach Hickman atMilton and was on his coaching staff last year at George County.Pitts attended Pensacola Junior College and graduated from theUniversity of West Florida. He was a graduate assistant atNortheast when Hickman was working with Collins.

“I’ve been impressed with Brookhaven and how friendly the peopleare,” said Pitts. He and his wife, the former Summer Henderson ofMilton, have a 2-year-old son, Logan.

Pitts obtained a degree in sports medicine. He will teachpre-algebra. He will serve as strength coach, defensive coordinatorand powerlifting coach. He will assist with the track team.

Willoughby, 24, is a 1994 graduate of Hattiesburg Blair HighSchool. He obtained a master’s degree in sports administration fromMississippi State.

He will assist with the ninth grade football team, serve as abasketball and soccer team assistant. “I’m excited about theopportunity to coach here in Brookhaven,” said Willoughby.