MHS’ WHEATON NAMED TO MISSISSIPPI’S FOURTH “TOMORROW’S 25” CLASS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FEBRUARY 16, 2026

MERIDIAN, MS — MHS Boys Assistant Basketball Kenton Wheaton became the latest in a long line of MHS coaches to be named to the Tomorrow’s 25 Coaching Fellowship. 

The Tomorrow’s 25 Coaching Fellowship, in partnership with the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA), formally announced the newest class of 25 Coaches who have been selected to participate in Mississippi’s signature program for athletic leadership on February 5, 2026.

Wheaton, who has coached for 5 years, joins five other MHS coaches who have received this prestigious honor since the first cohort was announced in 2023. 

“I’m truly honored to be selected for Tomorrow’s 25. Coaching is about more than wins and losses — it’s about impacting lives and building character,” said Wheaton. “I’m  grateful to be recognized and proud to represent the Meridian Public School District and our community through this honor.”

The Tomorrow’s 25 Coaching Fellowship is a 10-month program designed to invest in 25 coaches from across the state who have been identified as emerging leaders in high school and middle school athletics.

“This program is one of my favorite things about coaches and teams,” said Johnny Mims, Executive Director of the MAC. “If you’re around this group for 30 minutes, you’re inspired and want more kids to have coaches like them in their lives.”

All 25 coaches were identified by a selection committee and represent the best the state has to offer. Final selections had to represent the values of the coaching fellowship – a love of young people and a desire to develop them for life within the context of sports – and had to demonstrate excellence in their sports as ambassadors for the state. 

Serving on this year’s selection committee were Michael Smith (Booneville School District), Mandy Moore (East Tallahatchie School District), Dr. Cheyenne Trussell (Meridian Public School District), Kelsie Poole (Rankin County School District), and Devin Hill (Biloxi Public School District).

The fellowship started on August 20, 2025, and officially concludes on May 13, 2026. This year, Mississippi also celebrates a significant milestone by having 100 coaches go through its program – 75 from the previous three years, in addition to this year’s 25.

“We’re already seeing a ripple effect,” said Rickey Neaves, Executive Director of the MHSAA. “We believe in this program and can’t wait until 500 coaches have gone through it.”

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