East Mississippi Community College announced Tuesday that it has brought on board two former Mississippi State University standouts, Michael Story and Maurice Smitherman, as new assistant coaches.
A Fresh Coaching Era at EMCC
Story, a 2019 graduate who began his collegiate career as an offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, will now focus on working with the Lions’ offensive line. Over the past two seasons he has already been part of the EMCC staff, helping mentor several players who have taken the next step to the university level.
Smitherman, who earned his degree from Mississippi State in 2019 after redshirting during the 2015 campaign, joins the defensive backs room. He brings a reputation for sharp play in the secondary, having been part of a unit that did not surrender a single touchdown in pass coverage during the 2018 regular season.
Both former Bulldogs redshirted in 2015 and were integral to a team that reached five bowl games, a testament to their contributions on the field. Their experience includes a stint in the XFL under former position coach Terrell Buckley, now the head coach at Mississippi Valley State University.
Under the guidance of Hall of Famer Buddy Stephens, the new assistants expressed their excitement about returning to Mississippi and giving back to the program that shaped them. Story highlighted the honor of working with the next generation of talent, while Smitherman noted the opportunity to bring his high‑school coaching success from Alabama into the college ranks.
The moves come as EMCC continues to build on its recent momentum, drawing on connections to other collegiate programs such as Tarleton State, Kennesaw State, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, all of which have been mentioned in recent recruiting discussions.