[01/15/02]After nine years of fielding one of the top defenses in the junior college ranks, Hinds assistant Jeff Terrill is leaving to be head coach at Itawamba.

“I knew it was in the making,” Hinds head coach Gene Murphy said. “We’ve been fortunate to keep our staff intact as long as we have.”

Terrill will replace Jay Miller, whose Indians were 3-6 last year.

Terrill was introduced at the Fulton campus this morning.

Known as a strong X-and-O coach and an exceptional recruiter, Terrill helped the Eagles win five state championships during his nine years in Raymond, including four in a row, 1994-97.

“We had a tremendous stretch there, and Jeff played a big role in that,” Murphy said.

Since 1993, Terrill has recruited and coached more than a dozen All-Americans.

Twelve of his players have gone on to play in the NFL, including ex-Vicksburg High stars Mark Smith and Michael Myers. Two of his linemen, Andrew Williams and Jerome McDougle, were starters for 2001 national champion Miami.

“We’re going to miss Jeff a lot,” Murphy said. “We’ll probably find out how much after he’s gone.”