Hilton Harrell shocked a lot of people last week when he announced he was leaving McComb to become South Pike’s head basketball coach and athletic director.
For South Pike, landing Harrell is a coup. For McComb, it’s a major blow.
Harrell is one of the best coaches in Mississippi. He won two state championships in the past three seasons and competed for titles year after year.
Harrell also has been a mentor to children off the court, and countless athletes have received scholarships after playing for him. He does more community service in a few months than most people do in a lifetime.
Leaders in the South Pike School District saw an opportunity to make a move capitalized. They gave Harrell the job of athletic director — and its increased salary — for the first time in his coaching career.
Sports and student-athletes at South Pike will benefit from Harrell’s services as AD.
South Pike boys basketball has struggled for years. The Eagles were fortunate those few times they got past the district tournament and made the playoffs.
With Harrell’s hire, The Eagles have a chance to be a championship contender in the near future, and dismantle their local rival in the process.
Meanwhile, uncertainty hangs over McComb’s basketball program, which had made itself one of the best in the state under Harrell.
Standout junior shooting guard Zarkeichious Martin announced he is moving to Pine Bluff, Ark., to play for Watson Chapel High School.
Concerned residents and fans have held meetings since Harrell announced his resignation.
It seems much of the McComb community has accepted the fact that Harrell is gone, but as fans at a meeting Sunday indicated, they may not be ready to forgive McComb Superintendent Dr. Cederick Ellis and AD Malcolm Jones for allowing it to happen.
Harrell obviously wanted to be an athletic director and that may have factored into his decision to leave.
Criticism could continue if McComb can’t do something to get Harrell back or at least find a replacement who can match his capabilities.
