Copiah-Lincoln Community College is in the market for two new head coaches: baseball and men’s basketball.

     Keith Case officially announced his decision to leave the baseball job three weeks ago after 21 years at the helm. Dennis Sims is leaving the basketball job after 17 years.

     According to Co-Lin athletic director Gwyn Young, the search committee could make a recommendation to Co-Lin president Dr. Ronnie Nettles today or tomorrow, regarding the basketball vacancy.

     Baseball interviews are expected to resume today.

     There is a sense of urgency to fill both positions with the most qualified persons available. It is the height of the basketball recruiting process right now.

     Obviously, it’s peak harvest time for high school basketball stars. For sure, Co-Lin needs all the help it can get, in an effort to rescue a foundering program.

     Basketball tradition runs deep at Co-Lin. Unfortunately for Sims, the last four years have been difficult at best. The Co-Lin men finished 4-19 in what he described as his most disappointing season in 40 years on the sidelines.

     In fact, Co-Lin has struggled through four straight sub-par campaigns.

     Four seasons ago, Dennis Sims became seriously ill and was hospitalized for an extended period as he lingered near death. Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young was drafted to coach the men’s team the rest of the season, with help from assistant coach Cliff Furr.

     Prior to his illness, Sims said, “We had a really strong five years.”

     He entered the hospital on Dec. 5, 2009, and didn’t get released until April of 2010. “When I came back, I still couldn’t work all day. Cliff Furr did the recruiting.”

     Looking back, Sims said, “The next year was just blah. This last season was the worst I’ve ever been through. I tried to make my players learn how to be successful.”

     Sims suffered mentally and physically from the decline. Players with talent didn’t elevate their game and they didn’t respond to his coaching.

     Those so-called high school standouts failed to improve their skills. Personal point production took precedent over team success. On paper, Co-Lin’s team had plenty of potential. However, there was a distinct lack of leadership on the floor.

     Sims said, “We do have some people around here who think we were really talented this year.”

     In a tumultuous season, Sims dismissed two players from the team during the heat of games. Three others were suspended at different times.

     “I’ve learned that oftentimes your best teams don’t have the best players,” Sims pointed out. “They work hard to improve and they have a vision of success.”

     In 17 years at Co-Lin, Sims was 254-194. He won an MACJC State Tournament title at Co-Lin in 1999. His Wolves made the state finals six times, including 4 out of 5 years. In the good times, he enjoyed 3 straight 20-plus win seasons.

Sims has been coaching for 40 years

     Sims has been coaching for 40 years, 29 at the community college level. At 62 years of age, he still has a desire to coach.

     “I don’t have a clue at what I am going to do,” said Sims. “I might take something out of state.”

     Sims has an overall record for college and high school basketball of 761 wins and 397 losses.

     A prep star in Memphis, Sims received a tennis scholarship to Ole Miss. A long coaching career was on his horizon.

     He also coached junior high baseball and football during the early days of his career, plus tennis and track. He briefly coached football at now defunct Yalobusha Academy, which was located near Coffeeville.

     His high school record was 305-86. His record at Southwest was 202-117.

     Sims was named Coach of the year five times in junior college. In the early 1980s, he won two MAIS Overall titles in girls basketball at Jackson Prep.

Recruiting is the key to success

     Recruiting is the key in any college sport.

     This is the second year for statewide recruiting in the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges. The landscape has changed dramatically.

     In the good old days, the Co-Lin district used to be one of best in the state. Schools like Natchez, Brookhaven, Lawrence County, Mendenhall and Magee almost annually produced Division I prospects. Jefferson County, Franklin County, Crystal Springs, Hazlehurst and even Wesson produced talented players. Lincoln County was a hotbed for basketball talent.

     “That’s one of the main reasons I left Southwest,” Sims admitted. He liked what Co-Lin had to offer, especially in recruiting.

      Co-Lin enjoyed a Cadillac-level recruiting district for basketball. Southwest, by comparison, was a Chevrolet at best.

     “When I first got here, the Co-Lin district was strong,” said Sims. “A community college is only as strong as the schools in their district.”

     Sims put the situation in proper perspective. “You are real limited to local players. A coach is only as good as his players. When you have to travel all over the state with a limited budget, you are at a disadvantage.”

     Sims said there is much more to life than basketball.

     “My fondest memories have been watching my two daughters grow up here on campus. I got to see them every day. Now they both live in Memphis.

     “The saddest stuff I’m going through is packing up all those memories.”

     Sims hopes to continue coaching and making memories in the future.