Former McKenzie Coach Wilkins Joins South Gibson

MEDINA (May 6) — South Gibson County High School is proud to introduce John Wilkins as its next head coach for girls’ basketball.

Coach Wilkins brings a tremendous track record of success with two girls’ state championships at McKenzie High School and three other state tournament appearances on the boys’ side, also at McKenzie.

During his career, Coach Wilkins has amassed 13 district championships, six region championships, seven district Coach of the Year awards, A.F. Bridges Male Coach of the Year, 2023 BCAT Coach of the Year and the 2022 TSSAA Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.

Over his 19-year career, Coach Wilkins has a winning percentage of nearly 80 percent and has totaled over 400 victories.

Coach Wilkins spent the past two seasons at Brentwood High School, where he also won a district championship.

“We feel very fortunate to have Coach Wilkins join our Hornet family. His track record speaks for itself in terms of his ability as a basketball coach. However, even more importantly, he is a great human being,” said SGCHS Athletic Director, Mark Dunn. “John comes from an unbelievable family of basketball coaches, including his father, Mitch Wilkins, and his brothers, David and Mark. He will be a great fit here, and we are excited to welcome John and his family to South Gibson!”

Coach Wilkins is a graduate of Harding University in Searcy, Ark. He also earned his master’s degree in Education from Bethel University and his Ed.S. from Arkansas State University. John is the father of daughters Claire (13, seventh grade), Hadley (11, fifth grade) and Millie (7, first grade) and is excited to join the Hornet family as well.

Coach Wilkins said about his new position, “My girls are my biggest fans and love supporting my teams. Claire and Millie both enjoy playing basketball, and Hadley loves supporting my teams as a manager/water girl. My family and I are excited to join the SGC family and become part of a program that has established itself as a real contender in AAA basketball. There is a rich basketball tradition and strong culture here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to invest in these student-athletes, this program, and this community in the years ahead.”