Southwest Mississippi Community College Director of Athletics Dr. Bill Ashley has announced that men’s basketball head coach Casey Carter has resigned to enter private business.

Carter arrived at Southwest in 2010 as the head coach for the women’s basketball program and moved over to the men’s squad in 2011. As head coach for the Bears, Carter compiled a 37-36 overall record. He directed the team to appearances in the MACJC and NJCAA Region 23 tournaments the past two seasons. He has coached 16 players who signed with four-year colleges or universities and had four players named 1st or 2nd Team All-State and two who were named All-Region.

Carter said he will "always be grateful for the opportunity (Southwest president) Dr. Steve Bishop and the Board of Trustees gave me to work at Southwest. There will be relationships and friends that I will have for a long time (because of that)." Carter said the decision to leave Southwest was not an easy one "and one that came after many hours of prayer. But, it is a decision that is best for me and my family at this time."

Ashley said Carter’s "enthusiasm, character and ability were the keys to his success (at Southwest) and he will be greatly missed." He also said the search for a new head coach has already begun and that the position has already been posted on the school’s website.

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