Preston Wilson is returning home. The former Brookhaven HighSchool boys basketball coach has been hired to fill the sameposition for the 2009-10 basketball season. He was head coach atLawrence County for the past three years.

Wilson, 41, replaces Ronald Hines who coached the Panthers forseven years with limited success.

Hines compiled an overall record of 92 wins and 119 losses. HisPanthers finished 12-13 last season. Hines only had one winningseason and that was in 2002-03 when the Panthers went 25-6 in hisfirst year at the helm.

Wilson completes his school year today at Lawrence County. Hehas commuted from Brookhaven to Monticello the last threeyears.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to come back toBrookhaven where I began my head coaching career,” said Wilson. “Itwill be a good place to finish.”

Wilson was an assistant coach to Dale Kimble in 1994-95. From1995 to 2001 he served as head coach at BHS, compiling 151 wins,and 49 losses, capturing three district championships.

Wilson has been coaching at LCHS for the last 3 years. Prior tothat he coached at Woodlawn in Shreveport for 3 years. He alsocoached 2 years at Warren Central after leaving BHS.

Wilson graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1990 where he playedbaseball on scholarship. He currently works part-time as a highschool umpire and football referee.

In his first year at LCHS, Wilson’s Cougars made the secondround of the state playoffs. He was 8-18 this past season in arebuilding campaign.

Wilson will teach physical education BHS. He taught U.S.Government and PE at LCHS.

“Lawrence County was good to me,” said Wilson. “They gave me anopportunity to get back in this area.”

He graduated from Gibsland-Coleman High School, near Shreveport.He was a 2-sport star in baseball and basketball at Gibsland,helping win 2 state basketball championships.

Wilson is married to Sonya Wilson and they have threechildren.

“Brookhaven always seems to have some good athletes,” saidWilson. “There’s always been some talent, here.”

Wilson said he wants to meet with the BHS players later thisweek. He plans to establish a summer workout routine.

During Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, BrookhavenSuperintendent of Education Lea Barrett said she was happy to haveWilson back on staff. “We are delighted to have Coach Wilson withus.”

Brookhaven athletic director Tucker Peavey said Wilson would bean asset to the athletic department. “Preston is a qualitybasketball coach and we are happy to have him with us. He camehighly recommended to us from people he had worked with.”

Presently, Hines is working with Rebok Blue Chips ScoutingService, based in McKinney, Texas. They evaluate high schoolbasketball players.

Hines said his wife, Katrina, will serve as principal at McCombelementary school this fall. She has been in the McComb schoolsystem for three years, previously teaching in Brookhaven.

“I enjoyed coaching at Brookhaven,” said Hines. “You have upsand downs in the coaching profession. I enjoyed working with thepeople, especially Mrs. (Susan) Chapman,” retired BHS principal.”It was a learning experience for me.”

Hines and his wife have one child, LaRon, age 7. Hines was headcoach at Raymond for three years before moving to Brookhaven. Hegraduated from Hazlehurst in 1990. He attended Co-Lin for two yearsand then graduated from Jackson State University. He obtained amaster’s degree in sports administration from JSU.