Leadership EDIT 2025

Dr. Luther Riley is a Mississippi Native and is distinguished in both education and athletics. Luther has over twenty years of experience in elementary, middle, secondary and post-secondary education. Luther’s career in education began in 1999 at Provine High School in Jackson, MS as a history teacher and varsity basketball coach. After more than 10 years, Luther would go on to Coach Division I Basketball at Alcorn State University in 2011. However, his passion for molding high school students and athletes never wavered. Luther returned to high school in 2015 to again teach, coach, and mentor students and athletes. In 2017, Luther was afforded the opportunity to serve as a teacher leader at Murrah High School where he supported students, families, and education professionals and got a taste of school leadership. Luther’s assignment at Murrah is what sparked his interest in becoming a school administrator. Luther’s career in administration began shortly thereafter when he would move to Alabama and take on the role of Assistant Principal at Meridian High School in 2019. For the past five years Luther has served as a high school and elementary school principal in Tuscaloosa and Sumter County and is currently high school principal in Hale County School System.  Luther received an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from East Central Community College (1992), a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Mississippi Valley State University (1995), Master’s Degrees in Secondary Education (History) from Alcorn State University (1998) and Education Administration from Mississippi College (2018). Luther has also received an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (2019) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (2023), also from Mississippi College.  Luther is a member of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and 100 Black Men of West Alabama. He has also been named one of the Top 40 under 40 of Best Achievers (Alcorn State University).  As a high school basketball coach, Luther has earned numerous accolades; Luther is a motivational speaker, a 6X State Champion, 8X Coach of the Year, leadership consultant, a new coach mentor, and author of several instructional videos. Additionally, he has coached in numerous All star games such as Michael Jordan Classic, China All Stars in China, Nike All American Classic, Kentucky Derby Classic, and spent time at the Nike World headquarter in Beaverton, Oregon.  He also was a gold medalist in USA Basketball World games in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Luther’s educational background and personal experiences have helped shape his philosophy of education. It is Luther’s belief that: 1) A quality education is key to any community as it is the greatest equalizer. To educate our students is to empower them. Educators must serve our students by continuously looking for new solutions to new challenges we face, 2) Through powerful collaboration and strategic planning of innovative, relevant, effective, and strong school programs, teachers are inspired to teach creatively and motivate students to engage deeply in learning, and 3) Nurturing a collaborative culture grounded in common goals and relational trust will enable any school to reach beyond complying with state mandates and search for what students need and deserve.Luther’s motto has always been “Excellence without Excuse” which has served him well in the education and athletic arenas.