.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Men's Basketball Assistant Marc Dukes Resigns
6/4/2002 | Men's Basketball
June 4, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - After 28 years in the coaching ranks at the high school, junior college and Division I levels, Marc Dukes announced his resignation from the Ole Miss men's basketball staff Tuesday, citing a desire to look at other career opportunities. The resignation takes effect June 15.
"I want to thank Coach Barnes and the Ole Miss administration for allowing me to be a part of some of the best years in Rebel basketball history," Dukes said. "I have decided after 28 years in coaching to pursue some other career options. Ole Miss has always held a special place in my heart and will continue to do so for many years to come."
Rebel head coach Rod Barnes said, "First of all, I want to thank Coach Dukes for being a part of the Ole Miss basketball family. As in life, you are sad when someone leaves the family, and Marc will be sorely missed. But, on the other hand, I am truly excited for Marc and his family and their future endeavors.
"Marc has played a vital role in helping this program reach a national level, and we will always be grateful to him for his contributions. Marc and his family will always be a part of the Ole Miss basketball family."
Dukes spent the last four seasons on the Rebel coaching staff, helping guide Ole Miss to an 86-36 overall record. During his stint, the Rebels posted four-straight winning seasons and four-consecutive postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 1 NIT). Dukes was also a part of the winningest team in Ole Miss history in 2000-01, as the Rebels posted a school-record 27 victories (27-8 record), won the Southeastern Conference Western Division title and advanced to the program's first NCAA Tournament "Sweet Sixteen" appearance. Ole Miss finished the 2000-01 campaign ranked No. 9 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll, the highest ranking in the program's history.
Prior to joining Barnes' staff at Ole Miss, Dukes was the head coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he had an incredible five-year run (1993-1998). He took over the Ranger basketball program in 1993-94, and in five seasons, he led Northwest to an overall record of 129-31, two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament appearances, two Region 23 titles, two state championships and two Mississippi north division crowns.
In the 1997-98 campaign, Dukes guided the Rangers to a 29-7 overall record and the program's first final four appearance at the NJCAA Tournament. Northwest finished fourth - its highest finish ever - at the 1998 tournament, and for his efforts, Dukes was named the Region 23 Coach of the Year for the second time. He also earned the same award in 1996.
A 1973 graduate of Mississippi College, Dukes also had head coaching stints at Pineville (Ky.) High School (1991-93), Jones County (Miss.) Junior College (1986-91), South Jones (Miss.) High School (1977-85) and Raleigh (Miss.) High School (1973-76). He served as an assistant at Louisiana College in 1985-86 and as a graduate assistant at Mississippi College in 1976-77.
