Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams, the Board of Aldermen, and the city announced the upcoming induction of Coach Leslie Pool into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame. Pool is one of only five individuals chosen for the honor in 2026, according to a news release.
Pool began his career at Olive Branch High School in 1974 as head baseball coach and assistant football coach. Two years later, he became athletic director while also coaching football and baseball until his retirement in 1998. He continued working in DeSoto County Schools as construction coordinator from 1999 to 2010 and remains involved part-time, the release stated.
During his 23-year coaching tenure at OBHS, Pool compiled a record of 181-69-1, with a winning percentage of .724. He led the school to seven Chickasaw Conference championships, seven district titles, and 11 playoff appearances, including three North Mississippi runner-up finishes and two state semifinal appearances.
Pool was also selected to coach the Mississippi All-Star Baseball Game in 1979 and the Mississippi All-Star Football Game in 1981, making him one of only two coaches to lead all-star games in two sports. He served five times as chairman of the Chickasaw Athletic Conference. His legacy is also preserved through Pool Field at Olive Branch High School, named in his honor, and his induction into the Olive Branch Hall of Fame in 2013.
For more information, the announcement can be viewed at https://www.mscoaches.com/hall-fame/years-inductees, the release added.
