Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame
Willis, Kent
Kent Willis
- Induction:
- 2024
Kent Willis (Baseball, 1986)
Kent Willis, a native of Columbus, Miss., first arrived in Hattiesburg for the 1985 season after transferring from North Alabama. After sitting out the 1985 season due to NCAA transfer policies, he played his junior season for Southern Miss earning a letter for the 1986 season. He pitched 140.1 innings, recording 16 decisions in 17 starts over 21 appearances for a 9-7 pitching record on the year. The Golden Eagles finished 31-30 that year, pitching the team to the Metro Conference Tournament semifinals to record the first winning season under legendary head coach Hill Denson.
He led the 1986 squad in appearances (16), earned run average (2.89), strikeouts (140) and victories (9). Set the program record for most complete games with 11 on the year. At the end of his Golden Eagle career, he held program records in five season categories: appearances, starts, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. He also helped set a new program record 31 wins in the 1986 season. Willis was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 1986 MLB Draft, becoming the second African American player to be drafted from Southern Miss. He played six seasons for the Reds, Royals and Expos organizations.
After his retirement as a full-time player, Willis began his journey as a coach in the Atlanta Braves organization. He spent the next 16 years with the organization, beginning in 1995 as the pitching coach for the Rookie League GCL Braves (1996, 1998) and Danville Braves (1997). From 1999-04, he worked for the Macon and Rome Braves (A) from 1999-04 before joining the Mississippi Braves (AA) for their inaugural season in 2005 as the franchise's first pitching coach. In 2007, he was named Atlanta's first Minor League Pitching Coordinator, coordinating the organization's pitching philosophy throughout the minor leagues.
In 2010, he worked as the pitching coach for the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans and while working summers with Gary Southshore RailCats beginning in 2011. Willis currently works as the head baseball coach at Vicksburg High School
Kent Willis, a native of Columbus, Miss., first arrived in Hattiesburg for the 1985 season after transferring from North Alabama. After sitting out the 1985 season due to NCAA transfer policies, he played his junior season for Southern Miss earning a letter for the 1986 season. He pitched 140.1 innings, recording 16 decisions in 17 starts over 21 appearances for a 9-7 pitching record on the year. The Golden Eagles finished 31-30 that year, pitching the team to the Metro Conference Tournament semifinals to record the first winning season under legendary head coach Hill Denson.
He led the 1986 squad in appearances (16), earned run average (2.89), strikeouts (140) and victories (9). Set the program record for most complete games with 11 on the year. At the end of his Golden Eagle career, he held program records in five season categories: appearances, starts, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. He also helped set a new program record 31 wins in the 1986 season. Willis was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 1986 MLB Draft, becoming the second African American player to be drafted from Southern Miss. He played six seasons for the Reds, Royals and Expos organizations.
After his retirement as a full-time player, Willis began his journey as a coach in the Atlanta Braves organization. He spent the next 16 years with the organization, beginning in 1995 as the pitching coach for the Rookie League GCL Braves (1996, 1998) and Danville Braves (1997). From 1999-04, he worked for the Macon and Rome Braves (A) from 1999-04 before joining the Mississippi Braves (AA) for their inaugural season in 2005 as the franchise's first pitching coach. In 2007, he was named Atlanta's first Minor League Pitching Coordinator, coordinating the organization's pitching philosophy throughout the minor leagues.
In 2010, he worked as the pitching coach for the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans and while working summers with Gary Southshore RailCats beginning in 2011. Willis currently works as the head baseball coach at Vicksburg High School
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