Multi-time Alabama state champion coach taking over at Biloxi

Jamey DuBose is headed to Mississippi to coach.

The multi-time state champion was approved Tuesday night as the new head football coach at Biloxi High. There is a press conference scheduled later today to introduce him.

DuBose announced his retirement in the state of Alabama last month after two years at Orange Beach.

“It’s been a fast process,” he told AL.com. “I didn’t really know what I was going to do after the retirement thing. I had some things working outside of football. I was just going to sit back and enjoy the holidays. I became a grandparent for the first time last Tuesday, so the plan was to spend time with the family and enjoy Christmas.

“But then this Biloxi thing started moving and moving fast. They said all the right things and were willing to do all the right things. They want to win and will do what it takes to win. I couldn’t say no. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

DuBose led Prattville to Class 6A state titles in 2008 and 2011 and Central-Phenix City to the Class 7A state title in 2018. He replaces Katlan French as the Indians’ head coach. Biloxi finished the 2023 season with a 6-6 record. DuBose said he is ready to turn the Indians program back in the right direction.

“I think the first thing you have to do is change the mindset,” he said. “We are going to have to change the way we think and the way we work, and they are going to have to accept change. The way they’ve always done it there apparently is not the way to get it done. I believe I do have a proven blueprint for success.

“(Former UAB coach) Bill (Clark) and I sat down at a Country’s Barbecue in Prattville and came up with the process, and it has worked everywhere I’ve been. I think the numbers fit me better in Biloxi (Class 7A) than they did here at Orange Beach (4A). I’ve always coached with 100 or more players. The way we practice and how we practice, I need to be at a larger school. It’s a better fit for me.”

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DuBose spent the last two years at Orange Beach, leading the Makos to a 9-11 record. His first Orange Beach team went 8-3 and made the playoffs.

“Orange Beach needed a change and I needed a change,” he said. “I was not a fit because I need to coach at a larger school, but I will say that coming to Orange Beach was the best thing for me. It made me respect coaches at the smaller school level so much for what they do. Now is a good time in my life. I needed something to excite me again and get me going, and I think this will.”

DuBose has won 166 games in 18 years as a head coach overall with stops at Susan Moore, Prattville, Florence, Central-Phenix City, Lowndes, Ga., and Orange Beach.

He is most noted for his successes at Prattville and Central. He followed Bill Clark at Prattville and went 45-10 in four years and won two state titles. He later spent six years at Central, accumulating a 66-11 record and reaching at least the state semifinals five straight seasons.

“This is going to be it for me,” DuBose said. “I’m not making another move. Either it’s going to work in Biloxi or I will go work on a podcast or something. I wanted to give it one more shot, one more turnaround, and I can’t wait to get started.”

After meeting the media, the team and staff and the community today, DuBose said he would start full time in January.