Shelton Gandy named new MHS Head Football Coach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MERIDIAN, MS, January 18, 2024 - Meridian Public School District is excited to announce Shelton Gandy as the new head football coach of the Meridian High School Wildcats.  Gandy’s hiring was approved by the MPSD Board of Trustees during their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Gandy to the Wildcat Family,” said Dr. Cheyenne Trussell, MPSD Athletic Director. “He has been successful at every stop in his coaching career and I know he is the right person to continue to build on the momentum our program has gained over the past year.”

Gandy has over 30 years of combined coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels.

Coach Gandy brings over 20 years of experience at the collegiate level. He served as an assistant coach or coordinator at East Mississippi Community College and Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He coached wide receivers at Miles College, running backs at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, and running backs at Louisiana Tech University, as well as the University of North Texas, just to name a few.

Gandy also brings over 10 years of high school coaching experience.  He served as an assistant coach in Texas and Mississippi and head coach in Wayne County, where his teams advanced to the playoffs each year with 7-5 and 9-4 records.

Coach Shelton Gandy gained experience on a national level while serving as an intern with the Seattle Seahawks, the New Orleans Saints, and the San Diego Chargers, all within the National Football League. 

Coach Shelton Gandy has made a positive impact in his role at every level of his coaching experience. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Shelton Gandy as the new leader of the MHS football program,” said Dr. Amy Carter, MPSD Superintendent. “Our football program is on the rise, and I look forward to watching Coach Gandy guide our student-athletes to success in the classroom and football field.”

He was a two-time All-American running back at Wayne County High School and a standout running back at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and ended his college career among the top 5 in career rushing yards in USM history.

He is married to Patricia Gandy and has five adult children -  Jawanner, Maketia, Shelton, Brea, and Bryan.

Coach Gandy will be introduced to Wildcat fans and the media at a press conference on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Noon in the Multipurpose Building on the campus of Meridian High School.

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About Meridian Public School District: The Meridian Public School District prepares all students in a parent and community partnership to be literate, self-directed learners with the confidence and character to compete in a complex and ever-changing world. MPSD serves 4,900 students on 12 school campuses. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.mpsdk12.net.