FULTON, Miss. - Itawamba Community College has announced that Michael Nanney of Fulton will become its Volunteer Head Golf Coach, effective July 1.
"I saw an opportunity to get involved in a sport I love at a place that is special to me and my family," said Nanney, who will take over as coach once his retirement from the Itawamba County School District is official. "I appreciate Dr. (Jay) Allen (ICC President) and Coach (Carrie) Ball-Williamson (Athletic Director) for allowing me this opportunity."
Nanney served as golf coach at Itawamba Agricultural High School and helped coach the Indians to back-to-back Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class 4A Golf State Championships in 2009 and 2010 and a runner-up finish in 2011. He was named 4A Golf Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010. Five of Nanney's players continued their golfing careers beyond IAHS, including Taylor Boggs (University of Louisiana-Monroe), Ally McDonald (Mississippi State University/LPGA), Andrew McDonald (ICC/Blue Mountain College), Carlee Nanney (Belmont University) and Chad Ramey (Mississippi State University/Web.com Tour).
Nanney's previous experience also includes student assistant coach for Delta State University's baseball team, assistant baseball coach at Tupelo High School, head baseball and boys basketball coach and assistant football coach at Mantachie High School and boys and girls head basketball coach and assistant for the football and baseball teams at Itawamba AHS.
Nanney also served as principal at the Itawamba Attendance Center and Itawamba AHS, assistant principal at the Fulton Grammar School, and most recently, was elected to back-to-back terms as the Superintendent for the Itawamba County School District.
He will replace Cary Simmons, who stepped down as head coach of the Indians after two seasons, and become the third coach in the history of the ICC golf program. As ICC's policy mandates, the golf coach continues to be a part-time position. Since Nanney has served on the ICC Board of Trustees, he cannot work for the College for one year after his separation from the Board, but he can serve in a volunteer role, according to the Ethics Commission.
"We are so pleased to have Coach Nanney join us as our new ICC Golf Coach," Allen said. "I know that his golf and coaching background will help us to achieve the greatness we strive for in all of our athletic programs. We appreciate Coach Simmons' contribution and leadership that helped the program make great strides over the past two years."
Under Simmons' leadership, the Indians advanced to the 2017 region tournament and three players advanced to this season's region tournament. He also helped guide Foster to the national championship, marking the first time an Indian golfer has made it to the national tournament in eight years.
Nanney graduated from both Itawamba AHS and ICC, where he was a member of the 1989-91 baseball teams, and Delta State University. He earned his master's degree from the University of Mississippi.
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