Hall of Fame
Sim Cooley was the head football coach at JCJC from 1961-87, compiling a record of 187-92-5. He led the Bobcats to one national championship, five state championships and five bowl games.
The football field was named after Cooley in 2005.
Cooley also played football at JCJC in 1947-48 and was a member of the 1947 undefeated state championship team.
He transferred from JCJC to Mississippi State University where he played football for the Bulldogs.
He began his career as a football coach at Greenwood High School. He coached in the high school ranks for 10 years before becoming head coach at JCJC in 1961.
Cooley is also a member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame, the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Football Hall of Fame. He ranks sixth nationally in all-time junior college coaching victories.
Cooley passed away on Feb. 12, 2006. Hundreds of people came to Ellisville’s First Baptist Church to pay their respects.
Cooley was married to Pat and they had three sons: David, Simmie and Fred, who all played football for their father at JCJC. They had three daughters: Karen, Brenda and Donna, two of whom played basketball at Jones.
