Tyler Honored For 15 Years Of Service To Yalobusha County
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WATER VALLEY – The Yalobusha County Board of Supervisors recognized outgoing Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District Director Coach Bob Tyler during the Chamber’s reception Tuesday night.
Tyler was hired to lead the county’s new economic development district in 2007.
“We are going to sorely miss Coach when he retires at the end of June. He has served our community well. He has been such a wonderful ambassador for our community. That is something to be proud of,” Board President Cayce Washington shared during the presentation.
Washington added that Tyler forged strong bonds with the county’s industries during his tenure.
“They named a road after him at Windsor Foods, Bob Tyler Drive, did you know that?” Washington asked. “They named it after Coach because they loved him so much.”
Washington added that Coach was honest and genuine, and he was able to accomplish so many things for the county.
“He was able to assist school getting grants. Coach could make a phone call and get a grant,” Washington added.
Washington recalled stories shared by Tyler about his coaching career.
“It was more about life than it was by football,” Washington explained. “He along with his wife, Dale, would encourage young boys to become young men, and not simply by words, but by his own actions. You can’t just tell people something and live a different way. Coach lived it, and I witnessed this first-hand.”
Representative Tommy Reynolds had a proclamation adopted during the 2022 Legislative Session recognizing and honoring Tyler.
Washington shared the proclamation starting with the employment of Tyler as chairman of the economic development district starting on Dec. 9, 2007.
The proclamation also highlighted Tyler’s 32-year coaching that started in 1955 at Water Valley High School.
“The pinnacle of his coaching career was in 1973 when he led the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a 9-3 season and in 1974 with a Sun Bowl victory over North Carolina,” the proclamation stated. “Whereas in 2021, he was inducted into the Mississippi State University M-Club Hall of Fame and though he coached at Water Valley, Okolona, Senatobia, Meridian, Corinth, Ole Miss and Alabama, it was his six years coaching the Mississippi State Bulldogs that earned him the most recognition.”
Included in the proclamation was Tyler’s service with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) that started with the appointment by Governor Kirk Fordice as director of parks. Tyler worked in that position for four years, followed by another four years as deputy director of the MDWFP and later served in other positions at the state agency.
“I have one expertise of which I am really good – getting credit for things other people accomplished,” Tyler said as he approached the podium during the presentation.
Reflecting on Washington’s earlier comments about his close friendship with Archie Manning, he shared a funny story.
“Archie happened to be there when my youngest son was born and I named him Drew because Archie is from Drew,” Tyler explained.
“Archie asked, ‘What if I had been from Pelahatchie?’ I said my son would be Pelahatchie,” Coach continued.
Keeping his remarks brief, he credited city, county and state officials for providing assistance during his tenure with the county. He also thanked his assistant Kathy Dickey for playing a key role in the economic development effort.
“This is a one big Yalobusha County team,” he added.
