Coach Gerald Austin was a championship boys basketball coach at Gulfport and Jackson Prep. Coach Austin is a native of Jackson and graduate of Forest Hill High School. After graduation from Mississippi College, he began his coaching career at Biggersville High in Corinth. He coached at Holly Bluff and Crystal Springs before joining MAC and MSHOF Hall of Fame Coach Bert Jenkins at Gulfport. He coached at Gulfport for 19 years until Bert’s retirement and then led the Admirals to 3 straight division titles. He was hired as head hoops coach at Jackson Prep in 1993 and guided the Patriots to 3 consecutive state championships in 1996, 1997, & 1998. His teams won 360 games, losing only 189 out of 549 games played for a 66% winning mark. Gerald was a frequent clinic speaker and 36-year member of the MAC, serving as President in the 1987-87 term. Coach Austin was a charter member of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association and was named Coach of the Year 8 times. He taught at Prep and was in his 37th year of education at time of MAC induction.