Coach Howard Willoughby was a legendary championship football coach at Canton, Madison-Ridgeland, West Marion, and Bassfield. Howard lettered in football at Mississippi College where he graduated in 1953. A 40-year coaching veteran, Howard began his career at Canton High in 1956. After five seasons and a record of 23-22-2, Coach Willoughby arrived at Madison-Ridgeland High where he would lead the Braves to three consecutive Capitol Conference titles in 1963, 1964, and 1965 setting school records for points and wins. Howard’s next coaching stop was at West Marion from 1971 to 1973. In 1974, he arrived at Bassfield and created a football dynasty. He would lead the Yellowjackets for the next 17 seasons which included one Pine Belt Conference Championship, 6 division crowns, 3 South State titles, and three consecutive Class 2A State Championships in 1985, 1985, and 1986. Under his guidance, Bassfield rolled up a record of 140 wins, 46 losses, and 3 ties with five playoff appearances. Overall, Coach Willoughby’s football teams had 234 wins with 111 losses and 10 ties. Howard received numerous coach of the year honors including accolades from the Clarion Ledger, Hattiesburg American, the MAC, and the National High School Association of Coaches. He served as an assistant coach in the 1964 Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football Classic. After his retirement in 1991, Coach Willoughby remained a part of Bassfield football by attending every Friday night game he could to watch his former team. In 2008, Bassfield High School recognized his accomplishments by naming the football field in honor of the legendary coach. Along with MAC Coaches Hall of Fame honors, Howard was inducted into the Mississippi College Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Coach Willoughby passed away in 2014.