Hinds Community College football coach J. Mike Smith has stepped down.

Smith leaves the Raymond school after six seasons, including a 1-8 season in 2008. Hinds actually won three games on the field, but the discovery of an ineligible player caused it to forfeit wins over Northeast and East Central. It was the third losing record in four years for Hinds. Smith finishes with a 30-26 record.

“Coach Smith has been extremely loyal to the Hinds athletic department for the last 22 years,” Hinds athletic director Dr. Gene Murphy said in a release from the school. “He has been a part of a lot of success in his time here, both as an assistant and as a head coach, and we are very thankful for the time and effort that he has put into his job.”

Later on, in a telephone interview, Murphy said the decision was Smith’s. Smith did not immediately return a call this morning.

“He made it on his own. As for right now, I’ll consult with (Hinds President) Dr. (Clyde) Muse and see what direction he wants to go in with the program,” Murphy said.

Vicksburg High coach Alonzo Stevens has sent several players to Smith at Hinds and said the news is personally disappointing to him.

“Oh man, I hate to hear that. Coach Smith was always so good with the kids,” Stevens said. “He was a fantastic coach, who was good for the state of Mississippi. We always had a good relationship with him and we’ve sent a bunch of players over there. He gave guys like Ben Shelton, Vernon Wolfe, Rory Johnson and Hugh Norfort a chance. Not only did they become better football players but they also became better people for having played there under coach Smith.”

Smith has been with the Hinds program for 22 years. As an assistant he helped Hinds win six Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College championships in 1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.

In 2003, Smith moved up to the head coaching position. He led the Eagles to a 9-2 mark, including a South State title, and was named the MACJC Coach of the Year.

In 2004, they again went 9-2 and made it to the state finals, falling to eventual national champion Pearl River, 24-13, at Poplarville.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com.