Remembering Coach Carmody

Coach Joe Carmody passed away Jan. 5, 2023.

In addition to his legendary coaching career at the university and professional level, Carmody was a 1954 graduate of Co-Lin where he was co-captain of the football team and a member of the baseball team. He was honored as Co-Lin’s Alumnus of the Year in 2014, was inducted into the Co-Lin Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, and was CoLin’s inductee in the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

After Co-Lin, Carmody continued his education at Tulane, where he lettered in football two years and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

He served as an assistant football coach at Tulane, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and North Carolina before he became the defensive coordinator at The University of Southern Mississippi, where he was nicknamed “Big Nasty” as coordinator of the “Nasty Bunch” defense. He spent a season as an assistant coach in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills before returning to Southern Miss as the head football coach where he boasted a winning record in five of six seasons including an upset that ended a 57-game Alabama winning streak, which was the most points scored against a Bear Bryant team in Tuscaloosa.

Following his career at Southern Miss, Carmody coached at Mississippi State, Mississippi College, and Ole Miss before returning to the NFL as a scout for the Arizona Cardinals for 10 years before his retirement in 2005.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, the former Earlyn “Noonie” Regouffre; his four sons, Steve Carmody (Nena), Brian Carmody (Bridget), Keith Carmody (Kelly), and Chris Carmody; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

On the Cover

Coach Gwyn Young (‘71) recently achieved his 1,000th career win. He currently holds the record for most wins of any active coach in the NJCAA

New Arrivals

Colby Kent (‘14) and Erica Kent (‘13) welcomed a baby, Griffin Cole Kent, on June 16, 2022. Griffin is the grandson of Allen Kent, director of housing and golf coach.

Sarah Rhodus (‘12) and Blake Rhodus welcomed a baby, Kathryn Burke Rhodus, on Sept. 22, 2022.

Avery Leggett Jr. (‘17) and Sha’Kera Leggett (‘20) welcomed a baby, Greyson Avery, on Sept. 23. Greyson is the grandson of Kina Leggett, comptroller, and Chuck McCall, Workforce Develpment coordinator for the Wesson campus

Taylor Smith (‘10) and Sarabeth Smith (‘16) welcomed a baby, Tinsley Reese Smith, on Oct. 31, 2022.

Alexsundria Thomas Tanksley (’18) and Anthony Tanksley and welcomed a baby girl, Kyndal Jordan Tanksley on Nov. 21, 2022.

Mary Catherine Franklin (‘10) and Keith Franklin welcomed a baby, Emery Catherine Franklin, on Dec. 8, 2022.

Mary Elizabeth Fischer (attended) and Erich Fischer welcomed a baby, Kipp Higdon Fischer, on Dec. 27, 2022.

Douglas Strait (‘15) and Maura Strait (‘14) welcomed a baby, Russell Price Strait, on Feb. 1, 2023.

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