Editors's Note: In the Feb. 11, 2026 print edition of The Appeal, the following article mistakenly stated that NCSD Superintendent Brooke Sibley said in a statement that former softball head coach Justin Chaney was "released" by the school district. In fact, the statement read that the former head coach was no longer with the district. We deeply apologize to everyone for the error and are happy to set the record straight.
Newton County School District Superintendent Brooke Sibley has confirmed in a statement that longtime high school softball head coach Justin Chaney is no longer with the school district, effective January 21, 2026.
The former coach also performed the duties of Transportation Director for the school district.
As it is a standard practice that the school district doesn’t comment publicly on personnel matters, no reason was given as to why the former coach was released.
Chaney was the head coach of Newton County High School Softball for 20 years. In his overall career, coaching both slowpitch and fastpitch teams, he amassed 955 wins, 230 losses, and one tie. He won a total of 19 state championships (slowpitch and fastpitch).
Chaney reached his 500th career fastpitch win last season and is scheduled to be inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame in June of this year.
Coach Matthew Beasley was named the interim head softball coach, while Josh French was named the interim Transportation Director.
