Mark Alexander, a veteran coach with nearly two decades of experience, is set to leave Starkville Academy and take over as the boys basketball coach at Jackson Prep, a school celebrated for its athletic tradition and 17 Overall championships.
A Legacy of Excellence
Jackson Prep will be looking to add another title under Alexander’s guidance, as he replaces Zach Allison, who departed for Mountain Brook High in Birmingham after guiding the team to a 73‑win stretch and the 2025 Overall Tournament championship.
Alexander’s résumé includes 19 seasons of coaching, 16 of them in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, and a tenure as sportswriter at the Clarion‑Ledger from 1994 to 2006. Before his current role, he spent five seasons as a head coach at Starkville and one at Manchester, and he honed his craft under the mentorship of Richard Duease, helping the latter secure four Overall championships and five state titles. He famously ended Duease’s 77‑game MAIS winning streak during the 2011‑12 season.
A New Era Begins
The transition comes as Jackson Prep prepares for a season that could see a resurgence. The roster will feature nine seniors, including returning starters Cray Luckett, Ejay Napier and Joseph Chaney, who combined for over 300 points last year.
Prep athletic director Will Crosby expressed excitement about Alexander’s competitive drive, noting that the coach’s reputation for thorough scouting and preparation aligns perfectly with the program’s ambitions. Long‑time colleague Michael McAnally, who has known Alexander since the 1990s, echoed the sentiment, highlighting his work ethic and deep knowledge of the game. Richard Williams, former Mississippi State men’s basketball coach, praised Alexander’s work ethic and knowledge of the game, adding that Hartfield boys coach Chris Goodman described Alexander’s teams as skilled and well‑prepared.
While Alexander will miss the close‑knit community at Starkville Academy, he views the Jackson Prep position as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to blend his scouting expertise with a program poised for continued success. The pressure of maintaining Jackson Prep’s high standards is palpable, but Alexander embraces the challenge, confident that his experience and the talent already in place will allow him to uphold the school’s championship legacy.