A modest gathering at Sunkist Country Club brought together former Biloxi High School players, colleagues and community members last week to honor Jackie Laird, the school’s basketball coach for a quarter‑century.
Laird, who passed away earlier this month, was remembered not only for his meticulous teaching of fundamentals but also for the way he forged personal connections with each athlete, treating them as extensions of his own family.
Among those paying tribute was Sever Windham, who succeeded Laird as head coach and credited the older man’s philosophy of relationship‑building and community engagement as the cornerstone of his own approach.
Windham recalled how Laird would sit with players after practice, discussing not just shooting mechanics but also the importance of integrity, resilience and giving back to the neighborhood that raised them.
The ceremony also highlighted Laird’s role as a father figure to many young men, a mentor who guided them through both triumphs on the court and challenges off it, leaving a legacy that extends beyond wins and losses.
A philosophy that endures
Coaches who worked under Laird say his emphasis on emotional resilience created a culture where players felt safe to express vulnerability, a lesson that has shaped the program’s identity for decades.
Family members, including Laird’s wife, two children, three grandchildren and two sisters, were present at the event, underscoring the personal connections that defined his life.