Kilgore new coach at South Panola

After a one-season hiatus, Sylvester Kilgore Jr. is getting back in the coaching business.

The former head basketball coach at Holly Springs is taking over the top job at South Panola. He's moving from Class 3A to 6A.

"It's a step up the ladder and an opportunity and a challenge," Kilgore said. "Of course the size of the school doesn't matter too much. You're still trying to win games and win state championships."

Kilgore compiled a 122-61 record as head coach of the Holly Springs Hawks during the 2012-19 seasons. They were district champions six straight years, from 2014-19, and district tournament champs in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

His Hawks made five straight trips to Jackson from 2015-19, reaching the final four three times, and finishing as state runners-up in both 2018 and 2019.

Kilgore was named District Coach of the Year six consecutive seasons, from 2014-19, with 64 district wins and only three district losses during that span.

"I'm very thankful to have worked with so many outstanding athletes at Holly Springs High School," he said. "And a lot have gone on and done well after high school."

Kilgore stepped down from his coaching position at Holly High just prior to the start of the 2019-20 season.

He said last week that he wasn't really looking to get back into coaching this soon, but at the same time, he was prepared if the right opportunity arose.

"They (South Panola) called me and asked if I would be interested in meeting with them," Kilgore said. I said `yes' and we met, and they offered me the job after the interview. It all happened quickly."

The Tigers finished 2-17 this past season.

"It's going to be a challenge, but that's OK," he said. "It's an opportunity to improve and get better.

"They lost a lot of close games last season. I know it's a great school with great kids."

He will officially begin his role as head coach of the Tigers on July 1. He has not been able to meet with his players yet. Schools are dismissed due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

"That's all out of our control," Kilgore said. "For now, we have to be smart and be safe. When the time comes, we will hit the ground running."

District opponents include Germantown, Greenville and Starkville.

Kilgore said some of next season's schedule is already set but he will be filling in some spots, including some possible tournaments.

"I'm just really looking forward to this opportunity," he said.

Kilgore is a native of Holly Springs. He attended Holy Family School and Bishop Byrne High School (Memphis, Tenn.). He got his bachelor's from Rust College and master's from Ole Miss. Other coaching stops have

included Longview Middle School (Memphis), Nanakuli (Hawaii), Mitchell (Memphis), H.W. Byers and Humes Middle School (Memphis).

While at Holly High, he also coached the girls from 20122016. In 2016, both the girls and boys teams competed in the state tournament on the same day.

He played basketball and competed in track and cross country while at Rust from 1990-94.

He and his wife Shonta have a daughter, Kourtney, who is an assistant coach at Independence High School, and a granddaughter, Makenzie.