East Central Community College is pleased to announce Turner Hughes as the new head coach of the men's and women's tennis teams. Hughes will officially begin his duties this month. 

A native of Ellisville, Miss., Hughes brings valuable coaching and management experience from programs across the state. Most recently, he served as a tennis coach at Cleveland Country Club, where he managed the tennis pro shop, led the Junior Team Tennis program, and provided private and group instruction for players of all ages. During this time, he also served as a student assistant coach for the men's and women's tennis teams at Delta State University, assisting with practices, matches, player development, and team logistics. 

"We are excited to welcome Turner Hughes as our new head tennis coach," said ECCC Director of Athletics Paul Nixon. "Turner has a strong background in tennis instruction and program leadership, and he has shown a true commitment to growing the sport in our five-county district. We look forward to seeing him build on our tennis program's success and lead our student-athletes both on and off the court." 

Previously, Hughes worked for more than two years at Laurel Country Club as an assistant tennis professional, overseeing daily tennis operations, organizing junior programs, instructing players, and helping coordinate tournaments. His dedication to the sport has been recognized by the Mississippi United States Tennis Association, which named him Assistant Professional of the Year in 2022. He also holds certification through the United States Professional Tennis Association. 

"I'm honored to have this opportunity to lead the tennis program at East Central and work within our district," Hughes said. "I look forward to working with our student-athletes and continuing the tradition of excellence in Warrior tennis. I want to thank Dr. Gregory and Mr. Nixon for their trust and support, and I'm excited to get started." 

Hughes began his tennis management studies at Tyler Junior College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in Professional Tennis Management. He recently completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation with a concentration in Recreation Administration at Delta State University in May.