Hattiesburg Public Schools Announces Head Basketball Coach 

[Hattiesburg, MS] – On behalf of Hattiesburg Public Schools, it is with greatness to announce Joey Wade as the Hattiesburg High School Tiger Basketball Head Coach. 

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Wade brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the role. A former team captain at Meridian Community College, he went on to earn advanced degrees in education and build a respected career in high school athletics. He has served in various coaching capacities, including assistant varsity and 9th-grade coach, across multiple high schools. 

Wade was a key part of Hattiesburg High School’s 2022–2023 State Championship team and also contributed to the 2010–2011 State Championship at Meridian High School. In addition to his school-based coaching experience, he is the founder of Grind Nation Elite, an AAU basketball organization that has helped numerous student-athletes develop their skills and earn college scholarships. 

After serving as Interim Head Coach, Wade has officially been named Head Coach of the Hattiesburg High School boys basketball program. 

“I’m thankful to God for this opportunity and appreciative of the trust placed in me to lead this program. Serving as interim showed me what we’re capable of, and now it’s time to go to work,” Wade expressed. “We’re going to build a BurgBuilt culture rooted in toughness, discipline, and purpose—developing our players on and off the court every single day.” 

“This was a thorough and intentional process, with district and school leadership carefully vetting and interviewing candidates. Following his strong leadership this past season, we are proud to remove the interim tag and name Coach Joey Wade as our Head Boys Basketball Coach”, said HPS Athletic Director Jermaine Brown. “We are confident in his vision and leadership moving forward.” 

Congratulations to Coach Wade on being named Head Coach of the Hattiesburg High School Boys Basketball Team.