Buckner leaves SCS program, Cougars look to Rye as coach

Starkville Christian School gave Luke Buckner the opportunity to grow as a coach.

Buckner has decided that it’s time to take the next step in his coaching career as he announced this week that he was leaving the Cougars and moving to Oxford to take over as athletic director and coach at Regents School of Oxford.

In a statement released on Facebook Tuesday, Buckner expressed his appreciation to Starkville Christian School for its support during his last eight years as a basketball and baseball coach.

He considers the Cougars as “family.”

“I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. (Lynn and Randy) Witbeck for giving me this opportunity eight years ago,” Buckner wrote. “I would like to thank the parents for allowing me to coach their kids. I would like to thank the students and players for the hard work, respect and memories they have given me. Each one of you will always hold a special place in mine and my family’s hearts. This is not goodbye. This is see you later.”

Even though he may no longer be a coach at SCS, Buckner said his connection with the Cougars will last.

Starkville Christian principal Randy Witbeck has enjoyed a front row seat in seeing the development of Buckner as a coach and a leader.

“It has been an amazing journey watching how the Lord has grown Luke through these years,” Witbeck said in a statement. “His character became more and more exemplary with every game he coached and every player he instructed. He looked at every new responsibility that he was given, not only as a challenge, but as an opportunity to use his God given talents. He will be missed at SCS, but we are excited with him as he begins his new adventure in