By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

D’IBERVILLE — For the second time in less than a month, the D’Iberville High girls’ basketball program is looking for a new leader.
Jason Kennedy, who accepted the position as head coach of the Lady Warriors a few weeks ago, changed course and accepted the same post at Oxford High Thursday night.
The news was made official by the OHS administration Friday afternoon. Kennedy was the head girls coach at St. Martin for the past four seaons before heading to nearby D’Iberville.

“This was not an easy decision, because I have tremendous respect for the administration, community, and student-athletes involved at D’Iberville,” Kenedy said, in an exclusive interview with SouthMiss6 Sports Friday evening. “However, after carefully evaluating what is best for my family both personally and professionally, I believe the opportunity at Oxford is the right fit for us moving forward.”
Kennedy inicated that the new opportunity just materalized over the last few days, while he was conducting try outs for his new team at DHS. He had not signed at contract, however, with D’Iberville yet.
“Again, it was not an easy decision,” Kennedy added. “It was one I struggled with quite a bit.”

Kennedy just finished his fourth season leading the Lady Yellow Jackets, a span that included an overall Class 7A Final Four appearance in his second season in 2024, as well as a Region 4-7A title that season also. St. Martin also advanced to the second round of the Class 7A South State playoffs in 2025, and went a solid 85-36 under Kennedy’s guidance including 25-7 in that 2023-2024 campaign.
Kennedy guided Pearl to the Class 6A girls state championship in 2019, after stepping up from his assistant’s role with the Lady Pirates to take over for his then wife Lacey after she was deployed to Qatar as a member of The United State Army Reserve.
He also served as the head boys’ basketball coach at Picayune for two seasons in 2010-2011, going 41-20 in that time and guiding the Maroon Tide to the Class 5A South State playoffs both years. Prior to that, he served as head coach of the Lady Tide as well for one season.

Before arriving in Picayune, he was an assistant boys coach at Biloxi when the Indians won the 2009 Class 6AA state title and he was also the head coach at Bogue Chitto and he also has some experience as an assistant on the junior college level.
“We wish Coach Jason Kennedy and his family the best in this new opportunity at Oxford High School.,” Harrison County School District Athletics Dirctor Kevin Roberts said,. “While we’re disappointed to see him leave, our focus remains on the future of DHS girls basketball. We are committed to finding the right leader, who is committed to building the culture of the program, developing our student-athletes, and taking the program to the next level. We believe this is a strong opportunity for the continued growth and success of DHS athletics.”
A search began immediately for the next DHS irls head coach.