WESSON — Josh Garrett has returned home to Copiah-LincolnCommunity College. The former Co-Lin pitcher has been hired aspitching coach on Coach Keith Case’s Co-Lin staff.

“I’m very excited and glad to have Josh back with us,” saidCase. Garrett replaces Bryan Nobile who moved to Mississippi DeltaCommunity College in Moorhead after four years at Co-Lin.

Garrett, 26, is a 1999 graduate of Lawrence County High Schoolwhere he starred for the Cougars. He was named The DAILY LEADER’sMost Valuable Player on the 1999 All-Area Baseball Team.

“This has been a career goal of mine to come back to Co-Lin andcoach,” said Garrett. “I’m excited. I want to concentrate on allthose pitchers Coach Case has on the team.”

Garrett was a member of the 2000 Co-Lin squad that advanced tothe NJCAA Division II World Series in Millington, Tenn. andfinished fourth. He pitched a Series win over Jefferson CommunityCollege.

“I enjoyed playing for Coach Case and I’ve known him just aboutmy entire life,” said Garrett.

After Co-Lin, Garrett signed with Southern Miss. He transferredto Belhaven College where he played for former USM coach HillDenson. He was team captain at Belhaven and holds the single seasonstrikeout (108 Ks) record he achieved as a junior. He helped theBlazers win the GMAC Tournament title.

Garrett obtained a degree in sports administration at Belhaven.Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in sports management atSouthern Miss. He will teach physical education at Co-Lin.

In three years as an assistant coach at Laurel Watkins HighSchool, Garrett helped Coach Luke Leggett’s team reach the Class 4Astate playoffs.

Garrett is married to the former Kail Baldwin of Brookhaven andthey have a 1-year-old son, Wyatt.

“Bryan had a great four years with us and we wish him the best,”said Case. Nobile is an MDCC graduate who later starred as apitcher for Delta State University.

“Josh was a great player for us,” Case noted. “Then he went onand did a good job for Coach Denson at Belhaven. He has done asuper job at Laurel.”

In another area baseball coaching change, Southwest MississippiCommunity College has hired Lee Kuykendall as an assistant. Hereplaces Pete Young who resigned.