While the Wyatt Tullos era has come to an end for the Newton County baseball program, his work for the last 20 years hasn’t gone unnoticed.
It was recently announced that Tullos was named the 2021 Mississippi Association of Coaches Coach of the Year in baseball. He joins Newton County softball coach Justin Chaney, who was named the MAC Fast-pitch Softball Coach of the Year for 2020.
Tullos said he didn’t expect to honor after he stepped down as baseball coach this past spring . Tullos was the head coach at Newton County for 20 years with the Newton County program and had prior stops at Lake and Hamilton before landing in Decatur.
“I didn’t even realize that it had happened until Coach (Michael) Hindman sent me a picture of it at the all-star game,” Tullos said. “I’ll be honest, I don’t know how it happened. I appreciate the recognition and it means a lot that it comes from the coaches association and my fellow coaches. It’s very humbling to know that you have friends out there that love you.”
The Cougars went 16-13 this past season and made the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, losing to North Pike in three games.
Softball
Newton County softball coach Justin Chaney was also honored by the MAC as well. The Lady Cougars were 24-8 this past season and also lost in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, falling to Vancleave in two games.
Chaney also serves as the Athletics Director for Newton County.
