DeSoto County schools honor two longtime coaches after state and national Hall of Fame inductions

The DeSoto County Board of Education on July 16 recognized two longtime local coaches for recent hall-of-fame inductions.

Superintendent Olson introduced Coach Anthony Jenkins, summarizing a career that included playing at Hernando High School and Mississippi State University, 26 seasons as Hernando High's head football coach with 165 wins, service as Hernando's athletic director from 1990 to 2013 and appointment as the districtwide athletic director in 2014. "These are 2 legends in the coaching profession," Superintendent Olson said, announcing Jenkins's recent induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

The board also recognized Coach Leslie Poole, whom Olson said was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame on June 19. Olson reviewed Poole's record at Olive Branch — including roughly 181 career wins, multiple district and conference titles and state semifinal appearances in 1987 and 1988 — and noted his long service as head coach and athletic director.

Coach Leslie Poole spoke briefly and thanked the community and people who compiled records of his teams. "I was very blessed to work in a community like I was granted," he said, reflecting on community support and naming a local records keeper who helped preserve Olive Branch football history.

The superintendent asked staff to take a photograph of the two coaches with their awards before the superintendent's report ended. Olson also used the recognition time to note that district staff are preparing for the school year, with students scheduled to return on August 3.

No board action was required for the recognitions; the items were presented as part of the superintendent's report and concluded with brief public remarks and a planned photo opportunity.