Magnolia Heights School announces the retirement of Head Boys’ Basketball Coach Bubba Skelton, concluding an illustrious career that spans nearly three decades of success, leadership, and impact at the high school, junior college, and senior college levels.
Coach Skelton, who has led the Magnolia Heights boys’ basketball program since 2019, brought a championship pedigree and unmatched experience to the Chiefs. During his time at MHS, the program earned a North State Championship, a District Championship, and a North State Runner-Up finish. In 2020-21, he was recognized as District Coach of the Year, adding to a long list of coaching honors that highlight his storied career.
Before joining Magnolia Heights, Skelton spent 20 seasons as a head coach in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC), formerly known as the MACJC, amassing a remarkable career record of 396-169 and an impressive winning percentage of .701. He is a five-time Region 23 Coach of the Year and a five-time MACJC Coach of the Year. Skelton held two stints as Head Coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he became the winningest coach in the program’s history. Under his leadership, the Rangers claimed three MACJC Championships, five Region 23 titles, and made five appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Between his years at Northwest, Skelton worked as an assistant at Lamar University and guided Jones County Junior College to a 24-5 record and a conference championship in his first season—a feat not achieved by the Bobcats since 1946.
Beyond his success on the hardwood, Skelton served as Director of Athletics at Northwest Mississippi CC from 2014 to 2018, where he helped elevate the entire athletics program. His tenure culminated in Northwest receiving the Halbrook Award, given to the Mississippi community college with the highest percentage of graduating student-athletes—an honor the school earned for the first time under his guidance. Under his watch, the Rangers won the 2015 NJCAA National Championship in football and several other Region XXIII and conference championships.
A native of Leland, Mississippi, Skelton was a four-year letterman at Mississippi College, where he was an All-Gulf South Conference Academic Team selection in 1986 and 1987. He played in every game of his collegiate career and finished third in the conference in assists as a senior.
As Coach Skelton transitions into retirement, Magnolia Heights celebrates his profound influence on basketball and the generations of student-athletes he has mentored. His leadership, discipline, and love for the sport will leave an enduring legacy at MHS and across Mississippi.
The search for the next boys’ coach is already underway, as the Chiefs are expected to return all five starters and strong bench depth that helped them return to the postseason this past year.
Through the Years
2019-25 • Head Coach, Magnolia Heights
2012-18 • Head Coach, Northwest Mississippi
2008-12 • Head Coach, Jones County Junior College
2006-08 • Assistant Coach, Lamar University
1998-2006 • Head Coach, Northwest Mississippi
1996-98 • Head Coach, Southwest Mississippi
1991-96 • Head Coach, Monroe High School (Ky.)
1990-91 • Head Coach, Lafayette County High School
1988-90 • Assistant Coach, Jones County Junior College
1987-88 • Graduate Assistant, Mississippi College
Magnolia Heights news release
Magnolia Heights coach Bubba Skelton talks to his team during a timeout
