Johnny Ball and Hunter Ogden are newcomers to the BrookhavenAcademy football program, serving as assistant coaches to headcoach Tripp McCarty. The trio will lead the Cougars through the2011 campaign.

Ball, 28, joined the program in the spring before BA head coachHerbert Davis left for a coaching position at Ocean Springs.McCarty was hired in early May to replace Davis.

McCarty said he was happy to have Ball and Ogden on his staff asthey approach the 2011 season. “They do a great job of juggling alot of hats,” said McCarty. “They have a lot of responsibilities ata small school. They are extremely hard workers and have a passionfor the game.”

Ball, a 2001 Parklane Academy graduate, was an assistant coach forthree years as his alma mater, serving as defensive coordinator andstrength coach. He will serve as defensive coordinator and hold thetitle of strength and conditioning coach for the entire athleticprogram.

Ball played football for Charlie Newlon at Parklane and for DomGreen and Charles Anthony at Southwest Mississippi CommunityCollege as an offensive lineman. He played in the defensive line atMississippi College for Norman Joseph.

Ball graduated with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice atMC but preferred coaching. He was a graduate assistant at MC forthree years, obtaining a master’s degree in school administrationand education. He also earned a professional degree in strength andconditioning.

“I want to create a year-round strength and conditioning programfor male and female athletes at Brookhaven Academy,” said Ball. “Itwill keep them safe and strong in all sports.”

Ball will coach track in the spring. He is married to the formerJaclyn Matthews of Pineville, La. and they have an 18-month olddaughter, Addyson.

Ogden, 31, is a 1998 Natchez High graduate. He played quarterbackon the Copiah-Lincoln Community College football team. He alsoplayed first base for Co-Lin’s baseball team, helping the Wolfpackto their first-ever World Series appearance under Coach KeithCase.

Ogden also played baseball at Belhaven where he graduated with adegree in sports administration. He entered the sales field andworked as a mortgage underwriter. He got back into coaching lastyear at ACCS in Natchez. He also coached at the North FloridaBaseball Academy last summer.

“Brookhaven Academy has been a great experience for me,” saidOgden. “I feel like I couldn’t be in a better place. I like thecoaches and the headmaster.”

Ogden is single. He will teach physical education in the elementarygrades and work as an assistant to baseball coach CaseyEdwards.