Starkville High School is pleased to announce the selection of Anthony Carlyle as the new boys’ basketball coach, following his successful six-season tenure at Yazoo City. Carlyle will assume the position from QuVarius Howard and oversee the Starkville program. The team achieved an 18-12 record last season and advanced to the second round of the Class 7A MHSAA basketball playoffs.
In a press release issued on Friday, Starkville Oktibbeha School District Superintendent Tony McGee expressed his confidence in Carlyle, stating, “Coach Anthony Carlyle is a proven leader who brings a well-respected track record of not only wins, but player development to the Yellow Jacket program. He has built successful programs at three different school districts and helped more than 30 student athletes achieve their dreams of playing at the next level.”
Carlyle, boasting an impressive overall coaching record of 303-111, has been a significant presence in Mississippi’s basketball scene, contributing to six state titles, including four at Velma Jackson, one at Columbus, and one at Yazoo City. His most recent accomplishment involves leading Yazoo City to the Class 4A title in 2023 and guiding the team to the Class 5A final this past season, where they narrowly lost to Canton. Additionally, Carlyle was honoured as the Mississippi Coach of the Year in 2015.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining Starkville, Carlyle highlighted the school’s esteemed basketball history, stating, “Starkville has represented the state well over the years in basketball. Many past coaches have achieved a lot of success, and I’m excited to help build on that for the school and the community.”
Carlyle credits much of his success to the influence of his father, Archie Carlyle, a highly accomplished basketball coach with a 1,201-800 record and seven state championships over a 45-year career. Archie Carlyle is also a member of the MAC Hall of Fame basketball coaching staff. According to Carlyle, his father instilled in him the value of hard work and the importance of building relationships, which he believes are crucial elements of success both on and off the court.
In other news, the Clinton boys’ basketball program has appointed Joshua Luckett, the former Northwest Rankin coach, to lead their team, adding further excitement to the upcoming basketball season.
Anthony Carlyle is expected to officially join the Starkville coaching staff in July. For further sports coverage, please contact Michael Chavez, who covers high school sports for the Clarion-Ledger, via email at [email protected] or via X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.