Whittington made impact on players, coaches
By By Jeff Byrd
staff writer
If you were a Meridian High football player during the late 1970s, Bobby Whittington was one of those coaches you'd never forget.
Energetic, intense, a superb motivator and a genuine character. Those who played for him or worked with him, all say he was one-of-a-kind.
His gifts of communication would serve him well, even when he decided to get out of coaching and run for elected office. His last position was as the superintendent of education for Amite County.
On June 18, Whittington died at Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans. The resident of Gloster was 50.
George Warner of Meridian played for Whittington from 1978-80.
Current Meridian City police officer Earl Everett was another former player under Whittington. He played tackle for the Wildcats in the late 1970s.
Warner remembered one particular one part glorious, one part tail-chewing episode regarding Whittington.
Sulking back to the bench, Warner, then recalled what happened next, which goes a long way to describe how Whittington cared for his players.
That caring word was something former Meridian High assistant football coach Fred Brashier remembers.
Retired Philadelphia City School Superintendent Robert Turnage was the athletic director at Meridian High during that time. He followed Whittington's career after he left Meridian following four seasons with the Wildcats. He was gratified to see Whittington use his communication skills to serve as the superintendent in Amite County.
Barnes said a good line coach was a necessity back at that time because of the nature of the Big Eight.
Warner agreed.
Everett remembers the same thing.
Whittington was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery outside of Gloster. He is survived by his wife Cynthia Rollins Whittington of Gloster, one son Brad Whittington of Gloster, one daughter Alicia Whittington of Gloster, two sisters and brothers in law including Faye and Talmadge Henry of Meridian and Sandra and Shorty Byrd of Hattiesburg along with his stepfather William Jackson of Meridian and a stepmother in Dorothy Whittington of Vicksburg.
