Coach N. Z. Bryant was an athletic administrator and coach who currently serves as Deputy Director of the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Coach Bryant hails from Brookhaven where he graduated from Alexander High as an All-State basketball player. He was a two-year basketball letterman at Alcorn State. N.Z. was titles, 5 district crowns, and two state championships in the 1968-69 and 1971-72 seasons. He coached the South in the Mississippi High School All-Star basketball game. His basketball teams compiled an overall record of 321-134. Coach Bryant entered athletic administration in 1980 as assistant athletic director of Jackson Public Schools and managed the JPS athletic system with a budget of $600,000.00, 10 junior highs, 8 high schools and nearly 6,000 students with a mere staff of two persons. He has served as MHSAA Deputy Director since 1991. He helped develop stronger security systems at MHSAA athletic events. He is an active member of the Farish Street Baptist Church who serves on Youth Activities Committee.