Tucker Peavey is beginning a new chapter in his life. After nineyears on the Brookhaven High School sidelines, Peavey is steppingdown as head football coach. He will remain at the school asathletic director and shoulder a new responsibility as director ofthe maintenance department.

Peavey’s replacement at the helm is BHS offensive coordinator RyanRoss, a 1992 BHS graduate.

“I’m going to experience a different phase of life,” said Peavey.”Ever since I was 10 years old, I’ve been associated with afootball team.”

Peavey, 49, made the BHS football program a formidable force in theMagnolia State. Friday nights on King Field became a special eventas his Panthers won the Class 4A state championship in 2004 andwere Class 5A runners-up in 2010.

He compiled an overall record of 74 wins and 32 losses at BHS,making him the winningest coach in the school’s history. HisPanthers won three region titles and tied for two more.

“The timing and everything works out well for me,” said Peavey, a1980 BHS graduate. He coached mainly on the college level beforetaking the job at his alma mater. He directed the program in abusinesslike, collegiate manner.

“I take the football program seriously,” said Peavey. “You spendfour, five, six months of the year; seven days a week to make itsuccessful.”

Peavey stressed the importance of making the football program ateam effort. He complimented his coaches, players, administrationand community for their wholesale efforts.

He is married to the former Leah Ann Holtslander of Natchez and sheteaches science at BHS. They have four children and one grandson.The children are Lauren Landry, Ashley Holtslander, Nick Peavey andEmily Freeman.

“As I told our team following this year’s state championship game,although we came up a little short, I believe every little boy inBrookhaven can grow up with the dream of competing for the statetitle as a Panther,” said Peavey.

Ross, 37, received full support from Peavey. “I’m very happy thatRyan is willing to coach the team.”

Ross has coached at BHS on three different occasions. He coached atBHS for three years in the late 1990s under Greg Wall beforecoaching one season at McComb. He coached with Peavey for oneseason before leaving to become offensive coordinator at SouthwestMississippi Community College in Summit for four years.

Ross coached three years at Loyd Star, leading the Hornets to a10-2 campaign in 2009.

“I love Brookhaven and my roots are here,” said Ross. “I’m excitedabout the opportunity and ready to get started. This is somethingI’ve always wanted to do.”

Ross played quarterback at BHS and Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege. He graduated from Delta State University and obtained hismaster’s degree in secondary education from Alcorn State.

He is married to the former Mary Louise Taylor of Cleveland andthey have four children: Hogan, age 13; Stone, 9; and 3-year-oldtwins Luke and Lilly.

Ross said spring practice would be held in late April.