New Albany Middle School will see new faces leading some of their athletic programs for the 2022-2023 school year.

Kendall Murphy will serve as New Albany Middle School’s Head Football Coach and Athletic Director.  Murphy has six years of experience as a football coach and has served as an assistant coach on the New Albany High School Football staff for four years.

Murphy holds degrees from the University of Mississippi and Arkansas State University.  He and his wife Leann have three children:  AnnPerry, Manning, and Elleigh Lou.

“I am honored for the opportunity to lead the New Albany Middle School football program and excited to be deeper rooted in the New Albany football program and this community,” Murphy stated.

Mitch Howell has been named New Albany Middle School’s Head Boys Basketball Coach and will also serve as an assistant on the high school staff.  Howell has nineteen total years of coaching and teaching experience and comes to New Albany after serving as head coach at Wheeler High School for the past seven years.

Howell holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University and has received Division Coach of the Year and Daily Journal Coach of the Year honors.  Howell and his wife, Megan have two children:  Cayden and Jack.

“Success is a peace of mind in which you know you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming,” said Howell.  “I am looking forward to being a part of the New Albany School District and helping student athletes reach their full potential on the court and in the classroom.”

Danica Buchanan will serve at New Albany Middle School’s Head Volleyball Coach.  This past school year Buchanan served as the high school assistant volleyball coach under Ashley Connolly and will remain in that position as well in the upcoming season.

Buchanan earned a degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and is currently pursuing a master’s degree from William Carey University.  Buchanan has five years of experience in public education and currently is teaching special education at NAMS.  Buchanan and her husband Matt have one daughter, Abbi

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming volleyball season at New Albany Middle School,” Buchanan said.  “Coach Connolly has developed an outstanding program and my goal is to do the same for the middle school.”

“We are pleased to have these coaches at New Albany Middle School and look forward to them leading our athletics programs,” said Paul Henry, Principal.  “They will all be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes, our coaching staff, and our school.”