Five-time national champion head coach Buddy Stephens is no longer the head coach at East Mississippi Community College.
The college announced Monday night that associate head football coach/offensive coordinator Preston Rice has been named the Lions’ interim head football coach “effective immediately.”
Stephens, who spent 18 years at the helm and won national championships in 2011, 2013-14, and 2017-18, will be replaced by Rice for the remainder of the season. Stephens led the Lions to an overall record of 155–31, a .833 winning percentage, during his tenure. A representative from EMCC Athletics would not confirm whether Stephens is still employed by the school in any capacity.
In a Dispatch article published Thursday, Stephens offered pointed criticism of EMCC and MACCC leadership regarding football scheduling and playoff changes with which he disagreed. In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday and credited to EMCC President Scott Alsobrooks, EMCC said it “strongly disavows the remarks published in a recent article. These comments are inconsistent with the college’s core values and standards of professionalism, respect, and civility and do not reflect the views, mission, or expectations of EMCC. While the college supports open and constructive dialogue, personal attacks have no place in that discourse and are contrary to the standards we uphold within our college community. EMCC sincerely apologizes for the concerns raised by these comments and remains committed to fostering a respectful, professional, and collegial environment for all.”
Stephens did not respond to The Dispatch’s multiple requests for comment.
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