Charles Anthony, a veteran head coach and defensive coordinator at the high school and NCAA level, is in his third season as an assistant coach on Todd Cooley’s staff at Delta State University. Anthony will serve as the defensive coordinator for the Statesmen. Prior to coming to DSU, Anthony served as the head coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
During his time at Southwest, Anthony, who served as head coach from 2006-2012, led the Bears to victories over every team in the MACJC, coach four NJCAA All-Americans and produced 59 players that went on to sign with NCAA or NAIA schools.
The Athens, Ala., native spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as the defensive coordinator for coach Mike Ledford at the University of West Georgia. While coaching the Wolves linebackers, Anthony’s defenses ranked first in the Gulf South Conference in pass defense, pass efficiency defense, and sacks, while ranking second in total defense and scoring defense.
His 2005 UWG unit set numerous school records, including sacks in a season (42), fewest rushing yards allowed in a season (847) and ranked second nationally in pass defense, while improving the teams take-a-away numbers to 35 from 13 the previous season. Anthony coached All-GSC First Team selections Odell Willis (DL), Kelvin Morris (LB), Brandon Jamison (LB) and John Perkins (LB) during his time in Carrollton, Ga.
Anthony spent the 2004 season as the defensive coordinator at the University of North Alabama. His UNA squad ranked first in pass defense and second in total defense, while producing four All-Gulf South Conference selections.
The veteran coach also has a tie to former Statesman head coach Ron Roberts, as Anthony replaced him as defensive coordinator at Tusculum College after Roberts left to take the same position at Texas State University. While at TC, Anthony helped lead the team to the 2003 South Atlantic Conference title with a defensive unit that ranked third nationally in run defense (69.8 ypg) and 15th in scoring defense (15.9 ppg). Tusculum was also 12th nationally in total defense (253.3 ypg) and finished the season ranked No. 10 in the D2Football.com Top 25 and No. 17 in the AFCA Top 25.
Prior to making his jump to the NCAA coaching ranks, Anthony made a name for himself as a defensive genius in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges with stops at Northwest Mississippi Community College (2002) and Southwest Mississippi Community College (1999-2002) as defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
Anthony also has collegiate coaching stops at Valdosta State University (1991-1992) and Troy University (1988-1989). He also has several stops in coaching career at some of the top high school programs across the southeast, including Dr. Phillips HS (Orlando, Fla.) and Tift County (Tifton, Ga.).
Anthony graduated from Athens State College with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Recreation in May of 1980. He also attended the University of North Alabama (1976-1978). He was named to Who's Who Among America's Colleges and Universities, Most Outstanding Male Physical Education Student and was Vice President of the PE Major's Club.
Anthony and his wife, Beverly, have two grown daughters.
YEARS | INSTITUTION | POSITION | LOCATION |
2013-Present | Delta State University | Defensive Coordinator | Cleveland, Miss. |
2006-2012 | Southwest Miss. CC | Head Coach | Summit, Miss. |
2005-2006 | University of West Georgia | Defensive Coordinator | Carrollton, Ga. |
2004 | University of North Alabama | Defensive Coordinator | Florence, Ala. |
2003 | Tusculum College | Defensive Coordinator | Greenville, Tenn. |
2002 | Northwest Miss. CC | Defensive Coordinator | Senatobia, Miss. |
1999-2001 | Southwest Miss. CC | Defensive Coordinator | Summit, Miss. |
1998 | Upson Lee High School | Defensive Coordinator | Thomaston, Ga. |
1997 | Tift County High School | Defensive Backs | Tifton, Ga. |
1995-1996 | Doctor Phillips High School | Defensive Coordinator | Orlando, Fla. |
1993-1995 | Walker High School | Defensive Coordinator | Jasper, Ala. |
1992 | Griffin High School | Offensive Coordinator | Griffin, Ga. |
1991 | Valdosta State University | Defensive Line | Valdosta, Ga. |
1990 | Volunteer High School | Defensive Coordinator | Church Hill, Tenn. |
1989 | East Limestone High School | Offensive Coordinator | Athens, Ala. |
1988 | Troy University | Graduate Assistant | Troy, Ala. |
1985-1987 | Fayette County High School | Defensive Coordinator | Fayetteville, Ga. |
1981-1984 | Haleyville High School | Offensive Line | Haleyville, Ala. |
1980 | Lawrence County High School | Defensive Coordinator | Moulton, Ala. |