Beloved coast Coach Mike Gavin gets inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Only seven people in the state of Mississippi have been inducted into the national high school athletic coaches association hall of fame, and one very deserving coast native took home that title Wednesday night is Bismarck, North Dakota. News 25 Sports Reporter Ansley Brent had the honor and privilege of getting to know the hall of famer, better known as coach, Mike Gavin.

“I started coaching little league baseball when I was in junior college and I really liked dealing with young men at that time, so I knew then that I wanted to be a coach and that’s what I majored in at Southern Miss and that became a part of my career and I’m glad it did,” said long time coach on the coast, Mike Gavin.

Mike Gavin’s coaching resume stretches as far as the beaches of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and he truly made an impact at every stop. He began his football coaching career in 1973 with Harrison Central High School as an assistant, then became the Head Coach and Athletic Director at St. John High School for 10 years, and then continued to lead football programs at East central, D’Iberville.

His experience didn’t just stop at the high school level, either.. He went on to be the Defensive Coordinator at Mississippi Gulf coast Community College, then became the principal of Stone County Middle School, helped coach the Mississippi Fire Dogs, and his final stop was back where it all began as the Athletic Director for the Harrison County school district until he retired in 2014. 

As a coach, his name was under a lot of District titles, championships, and All-Star rosters, but it’s the relationships with his coaches and athletes that make him the most proud.

“I had a lot of successful teams, but I’ve also had a lot of players that went on to be very successful in life and that’s probably the thing I take the most pride in, that there’s doctors and lawyers and all that played football for me and to know that they’ve gone on and become very successful in their careers, that’s probably the highlight of my life,” said Gavin.

It’s safe to say the feelings of pride and adoration are quite mutual when his past players think about the time they were coached and mentored by Gavin.

“Playing under Coach Gavin was always exciting. I think the one memory I have more than anything is how much fun we had during practice. Back when we were playing for him, practice was the highlight of the week it seemed like for our team and I think that led to a lot of success which was led by him enjoying what he did,” said Chris LeBatard, member of 1993 D’Iberville football team.

“He was a great coach and taught us a lot about not only football, but life in general and it made us tough. He’s a great guy and great teacher as far as football and life goes,” said Ocean Springs Athletic Director Keith Carter, who was a member of the 1992 D’Iberville football team.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be a mentor in my life,” said Brian Saffle, who was a member of the 1992 St. John football team. “He has dedicated his entire life to serving his community and to bring young men into a world to prepare them for the most difficult tasks that they’re going to live through.

“Everybody I know that played for him, he just touched so many lives and so many men from Gulfport in St. John to Hurley at East Central and up to Perk, he just had a positive effect on our lives and career,” said Eric Oehms, member of 1993 D’Iberville football team.

Those positive effects and memories will last a lifetime in his players, just like his name will in the history books. Coach Gavin is now the eighth person in Mississippi history to be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Bismarck, North Dakota. This was his reaction to hearing someone repeat those words.

“It kind of brings tears to my eyes when I think about it,” said Coach Gavin. “I was inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Fame three years ago in 2021 and that I thought was a great big honor but this culminates into the highlight of my career.”

“I hate that I’m not going to be able to be there. I was with him when he was inducted into the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame, but man it’s just well deserved and I’m so happy for him,” Oehms said.

“It’s awesome for him. He deserves it, I hope he enjoys it, enjoys all the time and recognition he’s getting because he deserves every bit of it. He was a great coach,” said Carter.

“Congratulations Coach, well deserved, you are 100% first class all-time,” LaBatard said.

Brian Saffle: “There is absolutely nobody else that I personally know that deserves it more than he does,” said Saffle.

Coach Gavin went on to say there would be no induction into the hall of fame if it wasn’t for his incredible assistant coaches throughout the years, and the award wouldn’t even be an idea if it weren’t for his supportive family.

From all of us here at WXXV, congratulations on your huge accomplishment, Coach Gavin!