Purple, Gold and Pride – Pettis Unveils Vision for Marianna Athletics

By: Shelia Mader

Kevin Pettis

Marianna High School Athletics is hitting the reset button, and according to new Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Kevin Pettis, that reset starts by honoring tradition.

During a recent conversation with the Jackson County Times, Pettis shared his vision for rebuilding the Bulldogs’ athletic culture from the ground up, beginning with communication, community involvement, and a return to the school’s original identity.

One of the first major initiatives is the rollout of the Bullfrog app, which Pettis says will become the central hub for schedules, rosters, staff information, and athletic updates across all sports.

“We’re going to be good about communication, I promise,” Pettis said. “I’ve already met with all the coaches and told them to make sure everyone is connected and getting information. Whatever sports you follow, you’ll get updates.”

Pettis said schedules will continue to be added as they become available, and fans can expect more content in the coming weeks, including coach biographies and staff introductions.

“We’re kind of resetting this whole thing in athletics,” Pettis explained. “I asked every coach to send me a biography because I want our community to know who these people are. We’re building something here.”

That rebuilding effort, however, goes far beyond apps and announcements.

For Pettis, restoring pride in Marianna athletics means returning to the school’s roots, literally.

“When I came in, I told Principal Kerry Gilmore that if we’re going to reset this thing, I want to reset it all the way back to the beginning,” Pettis said. “Not to 1998 or 1999 when the colors changed. I wanted to go back to the original Marianna.”

That means the return of the classic block “M,” the elimination of black from the school’s athletic color scheme, and a revival of the Bulldogs’ original true purple and gold.

“We are purple and gold and gold, not Vegas gold,” Pettis said with a smile. “True gold. The way it was designed from the start.”

Pettis said he even researched the school’s original charter and spent time reviewing historic yearbooks while studying Marianna’s athletic history.

“Black was never one of the school colors,” he said. “I told all of our coaches yesterday: don’t use black. We’re going back to what Marianna was always supposed to be.”

The updated athletic branding will also include refreshed uniforms inspired by the Bulldogs’ classic look from the 1970s, blended with a modern style.

“Our uniforms are going to look like they did back in the late ’70s, just updated,” Pettis said. “Very traditional. Very clean. Kind of like LSU.”

While some changes have sparked debate among alumni and longtime supporters, Pettis believes tradition should remain at the center of any successful athletic program.

“Your school colors and your traditions matter,” he said. “That’s part of who you are. I just felt like if we were going to rebuild this, we needed to honor the original identity of Marianna High School.”

Pettis also shared the story behind another new symbol fans will begin seeing around Bulldog athletics: the running bulldog logo.

“There are all kinds of bulldogs we could’ve chosen, but I picked the running bulldog for a reason,” Pettis said. “I’ve told my coaches I don’t ever want to see people sitting around. I want movement. I want energy. I want our programs always moving forward. That logo represents that mindset.”

In addition to football, Pettis confirmed that Marianna will officially introduce Jordan Riano as the school’s new head volleyball and beach volleyball coach during a parent meeting Tuesday evening.

With new leadership, renewed energy, and a strong emphasis on tradition, Pettis hopes Bulldog athletics is entering a new era, one built on pride, accountability, and community connection.

And for many Marianna alumni, the return of the original purple and true gold may already feel like a win.