Jaymie Palmer is taking the big step at Enterprise. Heofficially accepted his first football head-coaching job Mondayafter 10 years as an assistant.

Palmer, 34 was approved at Monday’s meeting of the Lincoln Countyschool board, with Superintendent of Education Terry Bristerpresiding. Enterprise principal Shannon Eubanks applied his stampof approval

“We are very excited to have Coach Palmer at Enterprise,” saidEubanks. “We have talked to him before. His qualifications andexperience are excellent. We know he faces a challenge to build theprogram.”

Palmer also will be in charge of the junior high football program,plus serving as powerlifting coach and athletic director.

“Coach Palmer’s experience and resume speak for itself,” saidEubanks. “Powerlifting is a competitive sport and we need to bringour athletic program up to speed.”

Eubanks said Palmer has met with the players and with the currentassistant coaches. He said coaches Cass Brister, Will Pepper andJohn Knight will remain on staff.

“I want to thank Mr. Eubanks and Mr. Brister for giving me anopportunity to do this job,” said Palmer. “This is where God wantsme to be. I’m excited about it.”

Palmer replaces Josh Garrett who coached the Yellow Jackets for oneseason. He was elevated to the head job when Wayne Rogers leftafter two seasons.

Garrett has accepted an assistant baseball coaching position withthe West Jones Mustangs. Garrett was a standout baseball player atLawrence County, Co-Lin and Belhaven University.

Palmer is a 1995 Lawrence County graduate. Played baseball forCo-Lin from 1995-97 as a pitcher for Coach Keith Case. Hetransferred to Southern Miss and attended the Hattiesburg-basedschool from 1997-2000, where he obtained a degree in coaching andsports administration.

In 2000, Palmer was a graduate assistant for Coach Mike Dubose atAlabama. He earned a master’s degree kinesiology.

He began his high school coaching career at Brookhaven. From2000-2004 he was offensive coordinator. He helped coach the statechampionship football team and worked as pitching coach on the 2004baseball state title team.

Palmer moved to Lafayette County in 2005 and coached with LincolnCounty native Anthony Hart for one season. He returned to BHS andstayed through the 2009 season. He was at his alma mater last year,serving as offensive coordinator for Coach Mike Davis.

Palmer had watched the team practice on several occasions duringspring drills. He also witnessed their jamboree game at SouthJones.

Enterprise hasn’t won more games than it lost since the 2005campaign when former head coach Roe Burns directed the Jackets to a6-5 record and a berth in the state playoffs.

Garrett guided the Jackets to a 3-7 record last season, includingan historic 35-7 win over Hinds AHS, the first-ever Class 2A regionwin for the Jackets.

“I want to teach them how to win,” said Palmer. “I know we willbecome better.”

Palmer said he plans a conservative approach on offense. “We wantto stay in the game and find a way to win. You have to avoid themistakes.”

He said the school’s athletes, especially the football players,would benefit from participation in a powerlifting program.

“Powerlifting will give them an opportunity to work for somethingin the offseason,” said Palmer. “It will make them stronger andfaster.”

Asked about the summer workout regimen, Palmer said the footballteam would work out Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in June,starting at 7:30 a.m. The routine will change slightly inJuly.

The Jackets play their first game Aug. 19, at Salem.

Palmer said he would like to find a jamboree opponent for Aug.12.

Palmer is married to the former Lori Myers of Monticello. Theyhave two children, Anniston, age 5; and Carter, 3.

Softball Search

Eubanks said the search is under way for a new softball coach atEnterprise. Charissa Burke directed the team to the districtchampionship and the state playoffs this spring on an interimbasis.

Former Enterprise softball coach Steve Sasser stepped down prior tothe season in an agreement with the Mississippi High SchoolActivities Association and Enterprise. As a result, senior catcherKarla Beth Hux was reinstated after being declared ineligible forparticipation in non-sanctioned practices with William CareyUniversity players last summer.

Eubanks said Sasser is not being considered for the softballposition and neither is Burke. “We are looking elsewhere.”

He said Sasser would continue teaching at Enterprise.