Mississippi
Bob Tyler, longtime football coach throughout Mississippi, dies at 91
Bob Tyler, who’s coaching career spanned across 45 years and included stops at Mississippi State and Ole Miss, died Sunday, a Mississippi State spokesperson confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger. He was 91.
Tyler’s coaching career started in 1957 when he was hired by Water Valley High in his hometown. The first part of his high school coaching career featured stops at Okolona, Corinth, Senatobia and Meridian.
He made the jump to the collegiate ranks when he was hired onto Johnny Vaught’s staff at Ole Miss (1968-70).
Tyler spent the 1971 season working under Bear Bryant at Alabama before arriving at Mississippi State the following year as an offensive coordinator under Charles Shira.
In 1973, Tyler became the coach of the Bulldogs. Across six seasons, he had a 21–44–2 record. That’s an adjusted record from his actual 39-25-3 mark. Mississippi State forfeited four wins and a tie in 1975 along with the 1976 and 1977 seasons due to alleged improper benefits to student-athletes − though that decision has long been debated.
The NCAA tried putting the Bulldogs on probation for the 1975 campaign, but MSU sought and won approval from the court − which delivered an adverse opinion to the ruling − to play.
BOB TYLER: Bob Tyler a man of many talents. Here are a few
In 1974, Tyler led Mississippi State to only its second nine-win season ever. It’s a feat that has only been reached 10 times in program history. The Bulldogs ended that campaign with a Sun Bowl victory.
Tyler spent time as Mississippi State’s athletics director (1976–79) before moving to North Texas. He was the football coach in 1981 and served as the school’s AD from 1981-82.
He returned as the coach of Northwest Community College from 1984-85. In 1986 he surfaced as the high school in Oxford before finishing his career at Millsaps College (2000-02).
Tyler was inducted into the Mississippi State Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ms. (WZTV) — The family of a Mississippi teenager whose body was found after he went missing Fourth of July weekend is now demanding answers.
On Friday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump , Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Wells are holding a press conference to demand an investigation into the teen’s death.
Wells’ body was reportedly found Monday in the water near the end of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi.
Rev. Sharpton opened the conference by stating there are too many unanswered questions to close the investigation into Wells’ death. He says Wells, who is Black, went on a boat with three white men, who returned with Wells’ phone and keys, but not Wells.
“We we’ve been told does not make sense,” Rev. Sharpton said. “There’s just too many questions where they should not be closing the investigation. This does not smell right.”
Attorney Crump leading an independent investigation into Wells’ death.
Investigators are asking anyone who was on or near Horn Island on July 4 to come forward, especially if they saw Wells, spoke with him, heard or saw any type of disturbance or have original photos or videos from the island.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division at 228-769-3065 during regular business hours or 228-769-3063 after hours.
This is a developing story. Check back as we continue to update this story.
Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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