You may know him from the hit Netflix series Last Chance U, but those in football spheres now recognize East Mississippi Community College head football coach Buddy Stephens as a future hall of famer.
On Friday, Stephens was announced as the lone honoree set to be inducted into the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame later this year.
In his 17th season with the Lions, Stephens has a coaching record of 143-23 with a .856 winning percentage. Under his guidance, the Lions have captured five NJCAA National Championships, nine Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges State Championships, and 10 MACJC North Division Championships.
Stephens has been named the NJCAA Football Coach of the Year three times, NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year eight times, American Community College Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year two times, and JUCO National Coach of the Year twice.
He ranks fourth among the winningest active head football coaches at the junior college ranks, 27th among NJCAA coaches in all-time wins, and fifth in most wins for a Mississippi junior college coach.
Known for his ability to elevate players to the next level, Stephens has had immense success developing talent that went on to excel in Division I ranks and even the pros during his time in Scooba.
On average, 25 East Mississippi Community College football players move on to a four-year program and as many as 25 of Stephens’ former athletes have been in the NFL, UFL, CFL, or IFL. Under his guidance, nine players have been drafted into the NFL. Stephens has also coached 35 NJCAA All-Americans and nine All-America quarterbacks.
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