Jessie Bowman and Chad Leggett are the latest additions toBrookhaven’s football coaching staff. Bowman is coaching thedefensive line and Leggett is coaching the defensive secondary asOle Brook head coach Tucker Peavey prepares his Panthers for the2010 campaign.

“Both coaches bring something new and different to our program,”said Peavey. “We are happy to have them with us. They are goodadditions to our program.”

Bowman, a local football hero, is a 2005 BHS graduate. He anchoredthe defensive line in the 2004 campaign when the Panthers marchedto the Class 4A state championship. Bowman signed a scholarshipwith Mississippi State University and spent his first two seasonsat Copiah-Lincoln Community College where he earned all-statehonors.

At MSU, Bowman played for Sylvester Croom, working as a defensivetackle. His senior year was cut short when he sustained a seriousleg injury in the Alabama game.

Bowman, 24, obtained a degree in coaching and teaching at MSU. Hecoached at Co-Lin last season.

“I’m happy to be back at Brookhaven,” said Bowman. “I’m glad to behome.”

Bowman said the Panthers have shown improvement on the defensiveline. “They are looking good. I want to put passion and pride inplaying for Brookhaven. Wearing that jersey means somethingspecial.”

Leggett, 32, is a Magnolia native and a 1996 South Pike graduate.He played baseball at Southwest Mississippi Community College fortwo years and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Southern Miss inphysical education. He will assist Randy Spring with the baseballteam.

“I’m glad to be back in southwest Mississippi and I enjoy workingwith Coach Peavey,” said Leggett. He was an assistant footballcoach and head baseball coach at Mendenhall for the past fiveyears.

Leggett began his coaching career at Bay Springs. He was assistantfootball coach and head baseball coach for two years.

In the classroom, Leggett will teach Mississippi Studies at BHS. Heand his wife, Melissa, have a 19-month-old son, Cohen.