Coach John Carr
With the departure of Chris Jones to Hinds Community College, the Starkville Yellow Jackets found themselves in search of a new leader to guide their football program. However, the wait for a new head coach was short-lived, as Clinton’s John Carr was officially announced as the new head coach on Monday. This marks the first major hire for newly appointed athletic director Jay Hopson.
Carr’s hiring comes as no surprise, given his recent success in revitalizing Clinton’s football program. In 2023, the Arrows endured a difficult 1-9 season, but after Carr took over for the 2024 campaign, the team showed significant improvement. Despite facing a challenging schedule, Clinton finished with a 4-6 record, securing wins over Warren Central, Brandon, Terry, and Starkville—each of which went on to make the playoffs.
One of the most notable changes under Carr’s leadership was the transformation of Clinton’s offense. The Arrows saw their scoring output nearly double from an average of 15.7 points per game in 2023 to 30 points per game in 2024. His offensive scheme and play-calling played a key role in this turnaround, a promising sign for what he could bring to Starkville.
Carr’s coaching résumé is extensive, spanning both the high school and collegiate levels. Prior to his time at Clinton, he led Ouachita Parish High School to a 72-28 record as head coach. He also gained valuable experience at the collegiate level, having coached at institutions such as the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Troy University, Jones County Community College, and East Mississippi Community College.
With his wealth of experience and a track record of improving programs, Carr appears well-equipped to lead the Yellow Jackets into a successful new era. As Starkville prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on how Carr’s leadership and offensive expertise translate to the program’s continued pursuit of excellence.