NATCHEZ — Natchez native and former Franklin County coach Jeremy Loy is going back to the 5A ranks. Loy has accepted a football coaching job at Tupelo High, where he will serve as junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach.

Loy served three years at Franklin County as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach, guiding the baseball team to a 24-7 record on the diamond this season before resigning in May.

The Bulldogs lost to baseball 3A State Champion Sumrall in the third round of the 3A playoffs.

He also served as the offensive coordinator in football during back-to-back 3A State Championship apperances.

FCHS won the football 3A title in 2006.

“I’m excited about going back up to 5A,” said Loy, who served as an assistant in fotball and baseball at 5A Vicksburg prior to Franklin County. “Tupelo is one of the best programs academically and athletically in the state.”

Loy will coach two of the state’s top recruits at Tupelo this season in quarterback Chris Garrett — an LSU commit — and speedy wideout Chad Bumphis.

Loy will also be in the same division as defending 5A state champion South Panola and highly touted Columbus, where former Franklin County head football coach Grady McCluskey serves as an offensive coordinator.

“I looking forward to it all,” Loy said. “It’s some good football up there.”

Under Loy last year, the Franklin County Bulldogs averaged 347.3 yards offensively per game. The Bulldogs also won back-to-back South State titles in the process.

“I’m going to miss Franklin County and all the kids I’ve coached and people I’ve come to know,” Loy said.

“There was a lot of good memories there. I hope to have some more at Tupelo in the upcoming years.”