MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – The Meridian Public School District introduced Tony A. Vance as the new head football coach for Meridian High School during a press conference Monday, highlighting his experience, leadership, and plans to “restore the roar” to Wildcat football.
The MPSD Board of Trustees voted Dec. 3 to approve Vance’s hiring. A veteran coach with more than 20 years of experience leading programs in Mississippi and Alabama, Vance brings a résumé that includes 16 playoff appearances, four state championship berths and 157 career wins as a head coach.
“I feel like this was an opportunity for me to come in and restore the roar,” Vance said Monday, addressing members of the community and district leadership.
Superintendent Dr. Amy Carter said the district is confident in the direction Vance will take the program.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Vance to Meridian,” Carter said in a statement released last week. “His proven ability to build high-performing athletic programs, foster academic success, and inspire student-athletes makes him the right leader to elevate Wildcat Football.”
During his remarks, Vance emphasized the importance of unity and accountability throughout the district.
“It starts from the top,” he said. “From our board of trustees to our superintendent all the way down to our high school principal and our middle school principal. We all have to be on the same page speaking the same language.”
Vance said his first conversations with players focused on expectations.
“The standards are going to be here. We’re not going to lower the standard for anyone,” he said. “They’ll rise to the standard, and we’re going to set the bar high. They’ll meet the standard, they’ll get along, and they’ll have fun doing it.”
Vance also spoke about reconnecting the community with the program.
“We have to get people back in the stadium,” he said. “There’s no reason this stadium shouldn’t be packed on Friday nights. We’re going to put a product on the field they can be proud of, so they’re going to want to come support it.”
MPSD Athletic Director Dr. Cheyenne Trussell praised Vance’s history of success, calling him a coach capable of returning Meridian to its winning tradition.
“There’s no doubt that he will get the Wildcats football program back on track,” Trussell said.
Vance, who has coached at Hattiesburg, Charleston, Olive Branch and other schools, has also served in statewide leadership roles, including as president of the Mississippi Association of Coaches from 2023–2024.
He will officially assume his duties Jan. 5.