Gulfport Gridiron Club

01/26/2026

🏈 Gulfport Gridiron Club – Final Meeting of the Season! 🏈

Tonight marks Meeting 10 of 10 for the season, and we’re closing things out in a big way!

It is Father-Son Night – continuing one of our longest-standing and most meaningful traditions

🏆 Gridpicks Champion Award Presentation – celebrating our season-long winner

📊 Annual Business Meeting – proposing a new slate of officers, reviewing the Treasurer’s Report, and discussing takeaways from this season along with ideas to make next season even better

🎤 Guest Speaker: Daniel McCarthy - Daniel is the Deputy Athletic Director at the University of South Alabama. Daniel has been a key member of South Alabama’s senior leadership team since joining the department in 2008 and was appointed Deputy AD in 2017. He oversees the department’s externally-facing units, including corporate sales, fan engagement, brand advancement, and communications, while leading revenue generation through Jaguar Sports Properties. Previously, he managed business operations, academics, and compliance, and has served in leadership roles at the conference and national levels, including multiple NCAA committees. Daniel is deeply involved in Sun Belt Conference initiatives and university-wide strategic planning, bringing a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of college athletics.

We also want to send a huge THANK YOU to our Corporate Sponsors for their continued support of the Gulfport Gridiron Club. We couldn’t do this without you!

Looking forward to a great night and a strong finish to the season.

01/12/2026

We are excited to welcome Joey Jones as our guest speaker TONIGHT for meeting 9 of 10 of the 2025-2026 season! Doors open at 5:30 and dinner begins at 6:00.

Joey Jones is a graduate of Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama and played college football at the University of Alabama under legendary head coach Bear Bryant. He lettered with the Crimson Tide from 1979 to 1983, graduating with a degree in Business Administration.

As a wide receiver, Jones ended his career at Alabama ranking third in career touchdown receptions and seventh in career receiving yards at the time. He was named All-SEC as a senior, selected to play in the Senior Bowl, and was later chosen as a member of Alabama’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s.

Jones played professionally with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL and the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the 1st Round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft.

In 2008, Joey Jones became the first head football coach in the history of the University of South Alabama. He led the Jaguars from their inaugural season in 2009 through their transition to the FBS level and Sun Belt Conference in 2012. Under his leadership, South Alabama earned its first-ever bowl appearance in the 2014 Camellia Bowl. Jones resigned following the 2017 season and has since had coaching stints at Mississippi State in 2018 and 2023.

See attached for a list of our corporate sponsors!

And reminder that our final meeting will be on 1/26/2026 and will be Father-Son Night!

11/24/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Shay Hodge, Ole Miss legend and one of the most prolific receivers in Rebel history, will be our guest speaker at the Gulfport Gridiron Club meeting on Monday 11/24.

Record-Setting Receiver:
Shay became the first 1,000-yard receiver in Ole Miss history.

In 2009, Shay set the school single-season receiving yards record with 1,135 yards.

He finished his career with 2,646 receiving yards, ranking second all-time at Ole Miss.
He also caught 22 touchdowns — again among the school’s best.

Signature Play: One of his most legendary moments came in 2008 vs. Florida — with under six minutes left, Jevan Snead connected with Hodge for an 86-yard touchdown, giving Ole Miss the lead in a massive upset.

Accolades: Shay was named First-Team All-SEC in 2009 and earned All-American honors.

Huge thank you to this week’s corporate sponsor Coast 85 Home Solutions
coast85.com

11/09/2025

We’re excited to welcome LeAnna Dawson as our special guest speaker for Ladies Night tomorrow evening! Members are encouraged to bring a date and enjoy great food and fellowship.

Mrs. Dawson brings an incredible background in education and athletics. She earned her B.S. and M.S. in Social Studies from Southern Miss and an additional M.S. in History from Jackson State University.

A retired 27-year educator, Mrs. Dawson taught at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels — and coached both tennis and cheer during her high school career. In 2018, she joined the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) as an Assistant Director of Activities, and in 2025 was named Director of Middle Schools for the state association.
Her leadership extends across multiple programs, overseeing high school archery, bowling, spirit, volleyball, tennis, and girls flag football, which is in its inaugural season!

Join us as we welcome this outstanding leader to Ladies Night with the Gulfport Gridiron Club.

Thank you to this week’s sponsor, George Birdrow of LPL Financial!

10/26/2025

We are honored to welcome NFL legend, Jimmy Smith, as our guest speaker for this Monday’s meeting at the Great Southern Club!

Jimmy Smith’s career is one of perseverance, excellence, and record-breaking performance:
⭐ 5× Pro Bowl Selection (1997–2001)
⭐ 2× Second-team All-Pro (1998, 1999)
⭐ 1999 NFL Receptions Leader (116 receptions!)
⭐ Jacksonville Jaguars’ All-Time Leader in:
➡️ Receptions (862)
➡️ Receiving Yards (12,287)
➡️ Touchdowns (67)
⭐ 9 Seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards
⭐ 48 100-yard games
⭐ Key player in two AFC Championship runs and two AFC Central titles

From Jackson State to NFL greatness, Jimmy Smith’s story embodies dedication, grit, and the power of a comeback — a true inspiration for players and fans alike.

Join us for an incredible evening of football insight, motivation, and community!

A huge thank you to The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia for sponsoring this week’s event! www.thecitizensbankphila.com

Please reach out if you’re interested in attending or becoming a sponsor!

09/15/2025

We’re excited to welcome everyone to Week 2 in our Gridiron Club season this Monday, 9/15!

This week, we’re thrilled to have Tyler Siskey as our guest speaker. You won’t want to miss what Tyler has to share!

Prior to starting QwikRecruiting, Tyler spent 20 years coaching football at the FBS, FCS, and high school levels. Most recently, he was in charge of recruiting at Alabama and Ole Miss. Tyler was the first ever Director of Player Personnel of the Year winner, awarded by Footballscoop.com.

While in charge of recruiting at Ole Miss, the 2013 class produced 4 NFL First Round draft picks. He followed that up with an Alabama 2014 class that produced 2 NFL First Round draft picks, and a 2015 Alabama class that produced 3 NFL First Round Picks.


We send a huge thank you to this week’s Corporate Sponsor, Coastal American Insurance! Long-time member, Shorty Sneed, will share with the club the various products and services that Coastal American Insurance specializes in and how they may be able to help you!

Become a Sponsor today for just $500! See below for a list of all of our current sponsors!


Reminder that *after* this Monday’s Week 2 meeting, our Week 3 meeting will be on Monday 9/29, and we will meet biweekly through December 8th (9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/24, 12/8, 1/12, 1/26)

09/07/2025

Get ready — the 2025-2026 Gulfport Gridiron Club season officially kicks off tomorrow - Monday, September 8th at the Great Southern Club (2510 14th St, Gulfport—top floor), and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for what’s sure to be an exciting season!

🕔 Event Details:
All 10 meetings will be at the Great Southern Club. Doors open/cocktails start at 5:30 PM, dinner buffet begins at 6:00pm, and the program concludes at 7:30pm.

🎤 Week 1 Guest Speaker:
We’re thrilled to lead off our season with Charlie Winfield, Mississippi State University’s NIL Director and head of The Bulldog Initiative. Charlie brings incredible insight into the evolving landscape of college athletics and NIL — you won’t want to miss it!

💰 Annual Dues & Sponsorships:
Membership Dues: $350
Unsure if you want to join? Come join us for dinner tomorrow for $45 and that can be applied to your $350 annual dues if you do join.

SPONSORSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for $500. A list of our current sponsors are in the below photo. Contact us to lock in your sponsorship!

🏆 Gridpicks is BACK!
Bring $10 cash to enter the yearly Gridpicks pick ‘em competition.
PLUS — we’ll have a special award presentation for our 2024 Gridpicks Champion 🎉

Whether you're here for the football, the food, or the fellowship — we’re glad to have you with us for another great season. Let’s get this season started right.

See you Monday night!

09/01/2025

📣 Calling All Local Businesses!

There’s still time to become a Corporate Sponsor for the Gulfport Gridiron Club! 🏈

For just $500, your organization will:
✔️ Be featured in our emails & social media before all 10 meetings
✔️ Get a shoutout at every meeting
✔️ Have your logo on every dinner table
✔️ Receive a speaking opportunity to tell our members who you are

Interested? Don’t wait—spots are limited. Reach out today to secure your sponsorship!

08/28/2025

GET READY — the Gulfport Gridiron Club season officially kicks off its 78th season in less than 2 weeks on Monday, September 8th at the Great Southern Club!

Annual dues are just $350 and includes a buffet style dinner and your speaker fee for all 10 Monday evening meetings!

This season's speaker lineup includes:
🏈 Representation from Mississippi’s Big 3 football programs
🏈 The New Orleans Saints
🏈 An NFL all-time great Wide Receiver
🏈 A former NCAA FBS head coach
🏈 And several more!

Meeting Schedule:
-9/8, 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/24, 12/8…*holiday break*…1/12/26 and 1/26/26

We also recognize top high school players on the MS Coast during our annual awards night.

We are accepting membership applications and would love to have you join us! Please send us a message if you are interested in learning more!

04/26/2025

It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of one of our most cherished and distinguished members, Coach Lindy Callahan, who passed away on Wednesday, April 23rd at the age of 97.

Coach Callahan has been a pillar of our club, the Coast community, and the State of Mississippi for many decades, known not only for his dedication and passion for the game but also for the unwavering support and mentorship he offered to generations of players, coaches, and fellow members. He exemplified the spirit and values of the Gulfport Gridiron Club in every way, including being honored as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for our organization.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Coach Callahan’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

You can read Coach Callahan’s obituary here on Riemann Family Funeral Homes’ website:

View Lindy Gene Thomas Callahan's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/16/2024

Congratulations to all of our award recipients this past week!

Award winners include the following:

Andre Peters—Joe Petro Most Valuable Player Award at Gulfport HS

Jordan Stapleton—West Harrison HS—Joe & Mitchell Salloum Award for the Best All Around Player in Harrison County

Peyton Boggess—Gulfport HS—Judge Gaston Hewes Academic Excellence Award

Sutton Harvey—Clem Dellenger Most Valuable Player Award at St Patrick Catholic High School

Blake Pennock—Gulfport HS
—Lindy Callahan Coach of the Year Award

Dennis Brooks—Paul Wright Member of the Year Award

Reagan Bridley—Past President Award

Jack Murray—2024 Gridpicks Champion

Thanks to all of our members, speakers, and sponsors for a great 2024 season!

11/11/2024

Please join us at the Great Southern Club for Awards Night TONIGHT!

This will be our final meeting of the year, and we have invited the Coast’s top high school football players, coaches, and their families to attend to receive awards.

Additionally, we will be recognizing both the Gridiron Club’s Member of the Year and the Gridpicks Champion!


Thanks to all of our 2024 sponsors which includes:
-The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia
-Coastal American Insurance
-Cook Shak BBQ
-Coast 85
-Southern Ag Credit
-Harborview Oral & Facial Surgery Center
-Keesler Federal Credit Union
-LPL Financial
-Kern Optical Lab
-Pilger Title

Doors open at 5:30. Thanks to everyone for a great year!