Get to know the MHSAA Softball Coach of the Year, George County’s Anna Grace Rigby!

Over the next couple of weeks, WXX is taking time to introduce you to our four local recipients who were named Coaches of the Year by the MHSAA. Our first spotlight is George County’s Anna Grace Rigby, who was named the 2024-25 Softball Coach of the Year.

This past season, the George County Lady Rebel softball team won their second State Championship title in school history while being the undefeated District Champions and losing only three games all year. That monumental season was led by Head Coach Anna Grace Rigby in her first year at the helm. She tells WXXV her initial reaction when getting the call that she was named the softball coach of the year for the state of Mississippi.

“I guess I was really shocked because I got the call during the first week of October and our season ended in May, so it was something I wasn’t expecting and it made it even sweeter.” said Anna Grace Rigby. “I’m super grateful and felt super blessed in the moment and obviously a little emotional, but I guess the first word that comes to mind is emotional.”

Another reason this honor is so special to Rigby is where she did it and who she did it with. She’s now leading the team that she used to put on the cleats for, suiting up for the Lady Rebel softball at soccer teams from 2013-2016. Growing up in George County, she knows first hand how special the place can be because of the people in it.

“Being here as a player was super exciting, but I knew when I came back in a leadership role that it was going to mean a little bit more and be more special and my expectations have exceeded because I said over and over again that these girls are special, and for it to be my first year with them, I think that’s why the emotions are there because they do mean so much to me.” Rigby said. “To know yes, I got Coach of the Year, but those things don’t happen without the girls and so many other people too like the coaches I have around me and my family. I’m super blessed.”

Congratulations again to our 2024-25 Softball Coach of the Year, George County’s Anna Grace Rigby!