David Chatham enters his fifth season as Offensive Line Coach in 2024.

Chatham and new PRCC head coach Seth Smith go way back. In addition to competing against one another at the prep level, Chatham coached the defensive line on Smith’s East Central High School staff last year.

“David is a high energy guy and has almost 17 years of experience on the offensive side of the ball,” Smith said. “He has been a part of several different offensive schemes so he has a high content knowledge of offensive line play.”

Smith said their familiarity with one another should be a big help during their adjustment to the MACJC.

“The understanding of the effort we want to use to coach these young men will be huge,” Smith said.

“The year I spent with him at East Central is going to be invaluable to me so I know how he operates and does things,” Chatham said. “The approach he took there is going to be the same one we take here. Just having that little extra education will help tremendously.”

Joining Smith’s staff at PRCC is a blessing for a number of reasons, Chatham said. 

“It has always been a dream of mine to coach college football. It’s amazing how the Lord works things together so that can happen through ups and downs, highs and lows,” he said. “I’m super excited to work with coach Smith. He’s a fantastic human being and a great football coach. I’m excited about getting the opportunity to work with him at Pearl River. It’s been a great place for me and my family.” 

COACHING CAREER

Chatham actually got his coaching start on the diamond as an assistant baseball coach at Jones College — then Jones County Junior College. Chatham coached the Bobcats from 2001-04 before coaching Mize High School’s offensive linemen in 2005.

Chatham took over as offensive coordinator at Greene County High School in 2006 and led the Wildcats’ attack until ’09.

From 2010-18, Chatham was the offensive coordinator at Vancleave High School.

Last season, Chatham coached East Central’s defensive line.

Chatham is a Greene County High grad. After attending Jones College for two years, Chatham earned a bachelor’s in Physical Education from William Carey. He also has a master’s in Education from WCU.

Chatham is married to Pearl River volleyball coach Haley Chatham. The couple has four children, Hannah, Hayden, Graham and Chip.