Wes Prather has accepted the call to be the new boys basketball coach at Pillow Academy.
Prather, 33, was announced as the mentor of the Mustang program Friday. He will replace Nick Serio as the head coach, and Serio will stay on as an assistant after leading Pillow’s boys the last two years.
“I feel like God opened a door for me after taking a year off as a head coach. The time off as a head coach has been a recharging,” said Prather, who is still on staff at Madison-Ridgeland Academy as an assistant coach but will make trips to Greenwood at least two to three times a week.
Prather served as an assistant at MRA this past season as the Patriots won the MAIS Overall Tournament and finished with a 35-5 record. Before that, he was the head varsity boys coach at Hillcrest Christian School from 2010-2017. He guided the Cougars to Division II state titles in 2012, 2013 and 2017, and state runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2016. He compiled an overall record of 169-56 during his seven years as head coach at Hillcrest.
He was also an assistant at Hillcrest from 2003-2009, working with the fifth- through ninth-grade teams during that time frame while also serving as an assistant with the varsity boys.
Prather was named the Division II State Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2017.
“When we started reaching out to folks and potential candidates, Coach Prather’s name was mentioned several times,” said Pillow Headmaster Rodney Brown. “His history and success radiated. He’s far more than just a good basketball coach. He’s also a good person.
“We believe Coach Prather is going to be here for a long time. He comes in with a strong coaching pedigree, and a history for winning state championships.”
Prather said Serio actually contacted him after Serio made the decision to step aside as head coach.
“I’ve known Coach Serio for a number of years and have great respect for him. I’m very thrilled to have him on board,” Prather said. “I understand his decision to step away as head coach. Being a head coach comes with a lot of weight.
“I didn’t know when I’d get back into being a head coach, but coming to Pillow just felt right. Pillow is one of the top schools in the MAIS.”
Prather graduated from Hillcrest Christian in 2003. He stayed close to home as he attended Mississippi College in Clinton. He also served as a volunteer assistant at Hillcrest while at MC.
He also did innercity ministry for the homeless and youth ministry during his college days.
Prather and his wife, Brittany, have one son, Reed, 6, and two daughters, Rory Belle, 4, and Riley, 2.
