MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – In an exciting development for the Meridian Public School District (MPSD), two of its outstanding coaches have been named to the Mississippi 2024-2025 “Tomorrow’s 25” Coaching Fellowship. Brittany Roberts, a basketball coach, and Terrance Steele Sr., a coach for both baseball and football, have earned a place in this year’s distinguished cohort of emerging leaders in Mississippi’s athletic community.
The announcement came on February 11, 2025, when the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC), in partnership with the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) and the University of Mississippi’s School of Education, revealed the “Tomorrow’s 25” class. This leadership program selects just 25 coaches from across the state to participate in a 10-month fellowship that invests in their development as future leaders of Mississippi’s high school and middle school sports programs.
A Spotlight on MPSD Excellence
This year, Meridian Public Schools stands out with Roberts and Steele being among the select few chosen for the Tomorrow’s 25 fellowship. Their selection is a testament to the caliber of coaching talent and leadership being cultivated within the district.
Both coaches have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their athletes, not only teaching them the fundamentals of their respective sports but also instilling important life skills such as resilience, leadership, and empathy. Their commitment to the growth of young athletes has made a lasting impact on the Meridian community, and their recognition in this program highlights the district’s continued emphasis on excellence in both academics and athletics.
What is the “Tomorrow’s 25” Fellowship?
The “Tomorrow’s 25” program, part of the Excellence in Coaching Project, is designed to identify and nurture emerging leaders in the coaching field. Over the course of the year, the 25 selected coaches will attend in-person sessions in locations across Mississippi, including Oxford, Clinton, Jackson, and Biloxi, along with virtual sessions. These sessions will focus on key areas of leadership development, including coaching the whole athlete, fostering resilience, and creating positive change within their communities and schools.
The fellowship also provides a unique opportunity for participants to network with other top coaches from around the state and gain insight from leaders in the MAC, MHSAA, college athletics, and education. This exposure will help Roberts and Steele continue to grow as leaders, both in the classroom and on the field, as they develop strategies to impact future generations of athletes.
Meridian’s Strong Coaching Legacy
The recognition of Brittany Roberts and Terrance Steele Sr. as part of this prestigious program further strengthens MPSD’s reputation for cultivating outstanding coaches who make a difference in the lives of their students. Their involvement in the “Tomorrow’s 25” program is not only a significant achievement for them personally but also a reflection of the supportive and forward-thinking leadership within the district.
Johnny Mims, Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Coaches, expressed his excitement for the class of 2024-2025, saying, “I feel like this is another top-notch group of coaches who are doing wonderful things in our state. They give me great hope for the future of our profession.” The inclusion of two MPSD coaches in this select group only reinforces the district’s standing as a leader in athletic development in Mississippi.
What’s Next for the Fellowship?
The Tomorrow’s 25 coaches will continue their fellowship journey with their seventh session, which will take place on February 19, 2025. As the program progresses, Roberts and Steele, along with their peers, will continue to receive the tools and knowledge needed to become influential leaders in their field. The program will officially conclude in May 2025, after which the coaches will return to their schools armed with new strategies to inspire and guide the next generation of athletes.
Looking Forward
The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) and the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) are committed to continuing to foster leadership within Mississippi’s athletic programs. With the expansion of the “Tomorrow’s 25” fellowship to include South Carolina, this year marks an exciting milestone for the program. As Rickey Neaves, Executive Director of the MHSAA, put it, “It’s quite an honor when other states want to find out what Mississippi is doing. We believe in this program and want to see it continue to impact more schools and communities.”
Congratulations to Brittany Roberts and Terrance Steele Sr. on this incredible achievement, and a special shout-out to Meridian Public Schools for nurturing two of the state’s brightest coaching talents. Keep an eye on these outstanding leaders as they continue to shape the future of Mississippi athletics!
2024-2025 “Tomorrow’s 25” Class from Meridian Public School District:
- Brittany Roberts, Basketball
- Terrance Steele Sr., Baseball/Football
The Full List of 2024-2025 “Tomorrow’s 25” Class:
- Barrett Barham, Football, Clinton Public School District
- Daniel Best, Baseball, Rankin County School District
- Tyler Brock, Cross Country/Soccer, Cleveland School District
- Dameon Brown, Football/Track, Jackson Public Schools
- Jazzmine Church, Basketball, Rankin County School District
- Anna Grace Cooley, Softball, George County School District
- Jerrial Dawson, Assistant Principal/Basketball, Starkville Oktibbeha School District
- Rasheed De’Berry, Football, East Tallahatchie School District
- Justin Edwards, Baseball, Gulfport School District
- Shanice Griffin, Basketball, Petal School District
- Devin Hill, Assistant Athletic Director/Basketball, Biloxi Public School District
- Shasta Husband, Basketball/Cheer, Laurel School District
- Taylor Karr, Baseball, DeSoto County Schools
- Laine Marler, Volleyball, Rankin County School District
- Ashley Martin, Volleyball, Oxford School District
- Zariah Matthews, Basketball/Softball, Madison County Schools
- Roderick Moore, Basketball, Tate County School District
- Sharon Murray, Basketball, Jones County Schools
- Gabriel Myles, Football, Biloxi Public School District
- Kelsie Poole, Volleyball, Rankin County School District
- Shelby Sheppeard, Archery/Soccer, Western Line School District
- Shayna Turner, Cross Country/Soccer/Softball, Petal School District
- Darius Wren, Football, Kemper County School District
More about the Tomorrow’s 25 Coaching Fellowship and the Excellence in Coaching Project: Dr. Hunter Taylor, an award-winning professor and author from the University of Mississippi, is the founder of the Excellence in Coaching Project and the creator of the Tomorrow’s 25 curriculum. Before making the leap into academia, Taylor spent 10 years as a men’s basketball coach on the college, high school, middle school, and international levels. “I can’t believe we’re already in Year 3 of doing this work in our state,” said Taylor. “I’m just so thankful for leaders like Johnny (Mims) and Rickey (Neaves) who empower this program to be all it can be. And we still have a long way to go to reach our potential.”
The Excellence in Coaching profit is a non-profit that seeks to elevate the work of coaches across the United States, and “Tomorrow’s 25” is its signature program – designed to partner with state coaching associations to intentionally invest in their emerging leaders.
