SUMMIT – Lincoln County native Tucker Peavey has been named the head football coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

     Peavey, a 1980 Brookhaven High School graduate, replaces Charles Anthony who announced his resignation at Southwest during the 2012 season.

     The Southwest Board of Trustees met Tuesday night and approved Peavey’s hiring by unanimous vote.

     Peavey comes to Southwest from Southern Miss, where he served as offensive line coach on Ellis Johnson’s coaching staff. Johnson was fired at the conclusion of his first season after the Golden Eagles went winless in 12 games.

     “We are excited about Coach Peavey joining us at Southwest,” said Southwest president Dr. Steve Bishop. “I know our football program will be in good hands. He has all the attributes our search committee was looking for.

     “He has been a consistent winner and he is a good recruiter,” Bishop continued. “He’s a perfect fit for Southwest.”

     Peavey will draw a salary of $86,000 annually, plus benefits.

     “We have been competitive but we want to be more successful,” said Bishop. “We want our school and community to be part of something to be proud of. We want to enhance our graduation rate for athletes, too.”

     Bishop said Peavey would have four full-time assistant coaches, plus some volunteer assistants.

     “We want to be adequate and efficient,” he added.

     Peavey served as head football coach and athletic director at Brookhaven High School for nine years. He coached the Panthers to a state championship in 2004 and a Class 5A runners-up finish in 2010.

     He compiled an overall record to 74-32 at BHS, making him the all-time winningest football coach at the school. He won three region championships and was runner-up twice.

     He has previous college coaching experience at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and LSU.

     Peavey, 51, is married to the former Leah Ann Holtslander of Natchez. They have four children and one grandson. The children are Lauren Landry, Ashley Holtslander, Nick Peavey and Emily Freeman.