Tony Tadlock named Director of Competitive Excellence at the Hinds County School District

RAYMOND, MS(Hinds School District)– The Hinds County School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent are thrilled to announce the revival and significant rebranding of the District Athletic Director position to the Director of Competitive Excellence. This strategic move underscores the district’s commitment to fostering a culture of holistic achievement and sustained success across all competitive programs.

In conjunction with this exciting development, the district is proud to name veteran educator and acclaimed coach Tony Tadlock as the inaugural Director of Competitive Excellence. Coach Tadlock will continue to serve as the highly successful head basketball coach at Raymond High School, balancing both critical roles.

The newly conceived Director of Competitive Excellence position will focus on elevating athletic and extracurricular programs by emphasizing comprehensive development, strategic planning, and fostering a winning mindset beyond just the scoreboard. This role will support coaches, staff, and students in achieving their fullest potential, both on and off the field.

Dr. Mitchell M. Shears, Superintendent of the Hinds County School District, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role and Coach Tadlock’s appointment.

“We are incredibly excited to introduce the Director of Competitive Excellence position, a testament to our dedication to cultivating an environment where every student can thrive,” said Dr. Shears. “Coach Tony Tadlock’s proven leadership, unwavering dedication, and deep understanding of competitive excellence make him the ideal candidate to spearhead this initiative. His continued presence at Raymond High School as head basketball coach also ensures continuity and a direct connection to our student-athletes.”

Coach Tadlock brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished record of success to this new role.

A proud graduate of Pearl High School in 2007, he continued his education at Hinds Community College, earning an Associate of Arts in 2009. He then went on to receive a Bachelor’s in Sport Coaching Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2011, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching from William Carey University in 2012. Most recently, Coach Tadlock earned a Specialist in Leadership from Arkansas State University in 2021, further solidifying his commitment to educational leadership.

His professional journey began at Meridian High School, where from 2011 to 2017 he served as a teacher, Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach, and Head 9th Grade Basketball Coach. During his tenure, his 9th-grade teams achieved an astounding 63-2 overall record, securing five consecutive District Championships. He was also an integral part of the varsity team that clinched a State Championship in 2017. Under his guidance, 12 student-athletes signed full scholarships.

Since 2017, Coach Tadlock has been a cornerstone of Raymond High School, initially as a teacher from 2017–2021 and subsequently as Assistant Principal from 2021–2025. Highlighting the strong partnership with the Mississippi Association of Coaches, he proudly serves on their Board of Directors as the District 6 3A-4A Representative.

As head basketball coach, his remarkable achievements include being named:

• District Coach of the Year six times (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
• MAC 4A Coach of the Year five times (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025)

In 2022, he was recognized as both the Mississippi Association of Coaches Coach of the Year and the MHSAA Coach of the Year.

His impact resonated nationally in 2023 when he was named one of eight finalists for National Coach of the Year and received the Southeast Region Coach of the Year award. Most recently, in 2024, he had the honor of serving as Head Coach for the prestigious Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game.