For most athletes, there is no bigger influence in life than coaches. Jay Beech, Poplarville Head Football Coach, has been that role model for his team.

“Coach is a drill sergeant,” senior captain Austin Arceneaux said.

“He’s intense, but he will get the best out of you. We don’t go to practice every day and leave the same. We leave every practice as better athletes and better men. We can’t thank him enough for what he has done for us,” senior Aritaeus Johnson said.

Beech discovered his passion for football at an early age and played for Curtis Thaxton at Pearl River Central High School. Thaxton shaped Beech’s athletic and coaching careers and is a major inspiration for his coaching style today.

“I have so much respect for Thaxton. He was a great coach and has been a huge influence on me throughout my life,” Beech said. “Eric Collins, former PRC coach, was also an inspiration to me in my life. You learn a lot through the game of football as a kid and I’m glad I learned from them.”

After graduating from PRC, Beech went on to play at Pearl River Community College as a strong safety and outside linebacker.

Once his two-year tenure was up, Beech took his talent to Charleston Southern University to finish out his last two years of eligibility.

“I loved every minute I had the chance to play football. I just love this sport and knew I would eventually go into coaching right after I hung up my cleats,” Beech said.

Beech started his coaching career at Hancock High School in 2005, where he coached for a year before taking a coaching job at his former stomping grounds of PRC.

Throughout his five years with the Blue Devils, Beech served as the defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator.

In 2011, he crossed enemy lines and accepted an offensive coordinator job at Poplarville.

Three years later, Beech earned his way to become head coach of the Hornets.

After three seasons as head coach, all three of which are the best Hornets’ records since 2006, the year they went 8-4, Beech holds a 29-9 record, with hopes of reaching 30 wins come Saturday.

“This season has definitely been the highlight of my coaching career, but I know there will be plenty of great memories to come,” Beech said.