Video: Carlyle Ready To Lead Columbus Basketball Program

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The Columbus school board approved the hiring of former Velma Jackson boys basketball coach Anthony Carlyle to lead the Falcons’ boys basketball program.

Carlyle joins the Falcons after leading an uber-talented Velma Jackson team to win four of the last five 3A state championships.

“Been following the Columbus program and they’ve been successful for these last couple of years”, Carlyle said.

“It’s just an honor to get the opportunity to be the coach here.”

Carlyle brings an impressive coaching resume to Columbus, but the newest head coach knows the success in Camden won’t simply join him in the Friendly City.

“Just have to build. Build through hard work”, Carlyle said, “That’s what we were able to do there, but what we did there doesn’t carry over here.

“We got to come here, start brand new, and hopefully we can have some of the same success with it.”

The school district has hired Carlyle through the end of this school year to allow him to meet players and build his coaching staff.

Caryle replaces interim head coach Gary Griffin, who led the Falcons to a 16-13 record and a 6A state tournament appearance.