Hattiesburg High Baseball Icon Jimmy Pierce Dies At 72 After Health Struggles

The late Jimmy Pierce lived with his dog L.T. Pierce for over 12 years.

February 20, 2026

This article was last updated by Pranaya Poudel on February 20, 2026

Jimmy Pierce, a long-time head baseball coach at Hattiesburg High School, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, at 72.

The Hattiesburg High School legendary coach, Jimmy Pierce, after a long battle with heart disease.

Jimmy dedicated his entire life to coaching, teaching, and administrating, contributing significantly to his community.

Moreover, the late Jimmy Pierce served as the head baseball coach of Hattiesburg High School for 17 seasons, from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, during which time he won two State Championships, in 1980 and 1984.

Under his mentorship, the Hattiesburg High School baseball team, Tigers, won five South State pennants and nine district flags.

Before his coaching career, Jimmy played baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University.

The Hattiesburg, Mississippi, community mourns the loss of their legendary coach. His impact on the field of sports will always be remembered.

Jimmy Pierce Also Served As The Teacher, Administrator, And Cheerleading Coach At Hattiesburg High School!

The late Jimmy Pierce served as the head baseball coach of Hattiesburg High School and also coached the cheerleaders for 21 years.

He led his Hattiesburg High cheerleading team to win three state titles.

He also served as a teacher and of HHS and won the honorable title of Assistant Principal of the Year in 1996.

Jimmy Pierce was inducted into the Hattiesburg High School Hall of Fame, joining the school’s fifth class of inductees.

Jimmy, an alumnus of USM, served as the President of The Dugout Club for the University of Southern Mississippi’s baseball program for several years.

The late baseball icon Jimmy is survived by his sister, Brenda Pierce Kruse of Semmes, Alabama; his nephew, Dr. James Kruse, and wife Heather of Mobile, Alabama; great-nephew and niece, Ayden, and Kelsie Kurse.

Left to cherish his life are his seven amazing god-children and one great-god-daughter.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Jimmy Pierce’s funeral services will be held at Noon on Monday, February 24, 20205, at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home Chapel.
• Jimmy was born Jack J. Jimmy Pierce on December 19, 1952, to father Jack Pierce and mother Betty Pierce.
• He spent most of his life in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and loved traveling. He visited 49 of the 50 states.
• Jimmy was selected as the head coach of the South team in the Olympic Festival held in Los Angeles, California.
• A baseball field at Smokie Harrington Park is named after Jimmy Pierce.

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Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.

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