Kirby Cloer is entering her second season as Head volleyball coach at Florence High School. She previously served as the head cross country coach for six years before stepping away to lead the volleyball program. Kirby is also beginning her sixth year as the assistant softball coach for the Lady Eagles. She serves as a business teacher in the Florence High School Business Academy. Before joining the high school, she spent three years as a P.E. teacher at Florence Middle School.
Kirby Earned her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Belhaven University, her teaching degree from the Mississippi Institute at the University of Mississippi, and her MBA from Mississippi State University. Kirby has been teaching in Rankin County since 2019. She is passionate about building strong relationships with her student-athletes, she strives to help them grow both on and off the court, preparing them for success in sports and life.
Outside of coaching and teaching, Kirby enjoys spending time with her husband, Flynt and their family. They have five children: Sydni, Hayes, Kylee, Skylar and Cameron, and are proud grandparents to Paxton and Sara Brooks.
Michael Collins currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator at Florence High School. A proud graduate of Clinton High School and Delta State University, Coach Collins brings a wealth of experience to his role.
Coach Collins began his coaching career at Clarksdale High School, where he played an integral role in securing the 2001 state championship. He then spent two years at Pascagoula High School as Defensive Coordinator, further honing his skills. His next professional chapter took him to the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, where he served as Defensive Coordinator for eight years. Under his leadership, the team won the conference championship five times and made six playoff appearances, culminating in a second-place national ranking in 2013.
Following his tenure at the University of the Cumberlands, Coach Collins spent five years at Mississippi College as Defensive Coordinator.
Now entering his fifth year at Florence High School, Coach Collins has found a home within the school community. He notes, “I have found a wonderful school, where the people and environment are second to none.”
Coach Collins and his wife, Pamela, are the proud parents of five children.
Rod Davis is a former professional football linebacker who made a name for himself with both his athleticism and leadership on the field. He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned All-American honors and was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. He also won the Conerly Trophy as the best college football player in Mississippi.
He was selected in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Davis spent time in the NFL with the Vikings, Carolina Panthers, before continuing his career in the Arena Football where he won a championship. He completed his professional career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with teams including the Edmonton Eskimos, Montreal Alouettes, and Calgary Stampeders. Overall, he played nine years of professional football.
After retiring from professional football, Davis returned to Mississippi and transitioned into coaching. He coached at Northwest Rankin High School for four years prior to becoming the head coach for the Florence Eagles. He will begin his seventh season this fall.
Rod is happily married to his wife, Blossom, and has three sons: Mekhi, R.J., and Bryan.
Bio coming soon…
Russ Pate is entering his 8th year teaching and coaching at Florence High School. He has previously been serving as the offensive line coach and will begin his second season as offensive coordinator and head coach for the boys powerlifting team. Prior to coming to Florence, he held teaching and coaching positions at Raleigh High School and Grenada High School.
Coach Pate earned his degree from Belhaven University where he also played college football. He is married to his wife, Amanda, and has two sons: Clay and Reed.
