Lions Add Former Murray State Quarterback to Coaching Staff

East Mississippi Football has hired former Murray State standout quarterback Preston Rice as an assistant coach, head coach Buddy Stephens announced earlier this week.

Rice spent five seasons at Murray State where he started at quarterback for three years before graduating and transferring to Middle Tennessee State. In 2019, Rice ranked second in the Ohio Valley Conference in total offense with 274.8 yards a game as a Racer. After finishing his collegiate football career, he was a graduate assistant for football at Limestone University in South Carolina working with quarterbacks and wide receivers.

While coaching at Limestone, Rice assisted in the development of wide receiver Jelani Baker, who was named all-conference as well as being the first player drafted to a professional football team in school history. In 2024, Baker was selected in the seventh round of the United Football League draft by the St. Louis Battlehawks.

Rice voiced his gratitude after joining the Lions’ football staff.

“I’m honored to join the EMCC football staff under the leadership of Coach Stephens, who shaped the game at the national level and continues to build his legacy here at East Mississippi,” he said. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to contribute to a championship program and assist in the development of our student-athletes for the next level.”

Stephens has spent the last 16 years building a perennial powerhouse in Scooba, winning five championships in an eight-year span from 2011 to 2018. In the last 15 years, he’s accumulated a 143-24 as head coach of the Lions. Stephens spoke after Rice was added to the staff.

“We are thrilled to welcome Preston to our outstanding coaching staff. He comes from a family rooted in coaching and has grown up around the game,” he said. “Preston brings a passion for the game and a deep understanding of quarterback play that looks to bring fresh ideas and energy to our offense.”

Rice will make an immediate impact with coaching and player development moving forward, bringing even more excitement for Lions fans.

Author administrator Kellen Walker