Clinton Public School District

Pearlene Fairley is entering her 6th year as Head Coach for the Clinton High School Girls Basketball Team.  In her first year as an Arrow,  she led the team to a 6A District Championship and the team was also 6A State Runner Ups. She has since led her team to another District Championship and another state appearance. Fairley’s record at Clinton is currently 60-19. 

She began her career 20 years ago as Head Coach of Martha Gaskins Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama.  Fairley only spent 1 year there and decided to move back to MS, where she was Assistant Coach from 2006-2011 at Northwest Rankin Middle School.  In 2011, she became Head Coach for Pelahatchie High School and Junior High teams.  In her 4th year 2015, she coached them to a 1A District Championship and a 1A State Championship victory.  Fairley spent 8 years at Pelahatchie High School where she also guided the Lady Chiefs to two more District Championships and three more State Appearances 2016, 2017, and 2018.  Fairley was named Coach of the Year three times and was selected to coach in the 2019 All-star basketball game.  Fairley comes to Clinton with a 155-85 record. 

She is a 1997 graduate of Pelahatchie High School.  She attended Hinds Community College and Alabama A&M University on an athletic Scholarship for basketball.  Pearlene received her Bachelors’ Degree in Education in 2003. In 2010, she received her Masters’ Degree in Education from Jackson State University.  

Fairley’s motivation for coaching comes from her passion and love for the game.  She enjoys developing players and watching their game come to life.  Fairleys favorite quote is “A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with One Step.”