A 51-year coaching veteran, Coach Jack Bailey had a remarkable career coaching football and track at Kosciusko, Bay Springs, Magee, Collins, Prentiss Christian, Heidelberg, Sylva Bay Academy, and Simpson Academy. Born in Itta Bena, Jack earned his college degree at Delta State. Before he started his coaching career, he served in the United States Army during World War II and had the unique honor of guarding the Tomb on the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Upon returning from military service, he lettered in football at Delta State from 1949 to 1950. Coach Bailey entered the coaching profession as an assistant football coach at Kosciusko. After three seasons, he was named head football coach at Bay Springs where his teams compiled a record of 10-7-1 in two seasons. He moved to Magee in 1955 and spent three seasons in charge of the Trojans, evening his record at 15-15-2. He also created and built Magee’s first track program in school history. In 1958, he arrived at Collins as head football coach and school principal and created a football legacy that endures to the present day. He would guide the Tigers gridiron program for the next 28 years including 5 Apache Conference championships and a playoff appearance in 1981. He coached 6 undefeated Collins teams rolling up a record of 206 wins, 81 losses, and 5 ties. In 1990, Jack was named head coach at Prentiss Christian and would lead the Saints to five Southwest Division crowns. In six seasons he led Prentiss Christian to a sparkling record of 48-18. In 1997, he coached at Sylva Bay Academy and led his teams in two seasons to a 6-14 mark. He completed his coaching career at Simpson Academy. Overall, Coach Bailey’s football teams won 291 games with 135 losses and 8 ties. His teams have claimed 16 conference or district championships over the years. In addition, his 1968 boys’ track team at Collins were state co-champions. Off the field, Jack received numerous coaching awards and he was one of the founders of the MAC. He served as an assistant coach in 1964 and as head coach in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star football classic. He was a longtime and faithful member of the Collins United Methodist Church and the Followers Sunday School Class. In addition to membership in the MAC Coaches Hall of Fame, Coach Bailey was inducted into the Delta State University Hall of Fame and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021. Coach Bailey passed away on September 12, 2020.