Chuck Box is leaving his position as director of program development at the University of Texas to return to his home state.
Jackson Academy announced Monday that Box, a native of Columbus, is heading to Mississippi’s capital city to lead the Raiders’ baseball team and serve as the private school’s associate athletics director. A proven head coach with over 25 years of experience, he holds an overall record of 735-326.
Box will take over the JA program next season and replace Justin Reed, who has been serving as interim following Corey Dickerson’s departure to become the Tampa Bay Rays’ first base coach.
“I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead the baseball program at Jackson Academy,” Box said. “This is a special place with a strong tradition, and I look forward to investing in our student-athletes, building meaningful relationships, and pursuing excellence both on and off the field.”
Box has most recently been a right-hand man to Jim Schlossnagle, both at Texas A&M and at Texas. The Mississippian spent three seasons with the Aggies, one of which ended with them as the national title runners-up. He jumped ship with Schlossnagle to Austin in 2024 and has been with the Longhorns since. Texas is currently ranked No. 4 in the country and No. 1 in the SEC.
No stranger to the MAIS scene in central Mississippi, Box coached at Jackson Prep for 10 years and Hartfield Academy for four years. He led the Patriots to 10 consecutive playoff berths and won six state championships. During that timeframe, he coached Jake Mangum and Parker Caracci — players who went on to be collegiate All-Americans. Box led Hartfield to two runner-up finishes in the state playoffs.
Before his time at the high school ranks, Box served in multiple positions at his alma mater, Freed-Hardeman University, spending two seasons as the NAIA school’s director of athletics advancement, preceded by a seven-year head coaching stint, which included a conference championship and No. 7 finish nationally. He also spent four years at Itawamba Community College, leading the program to a 148-57 record and peaking at the No. 1 spot in the NJCAA rankings.
Box has spent time as a task force scout for USA Baseball and has been a featured clinic speaker at various coaching conferences across the country.
In the meantime, JA is working to win a championship under Reed, currently holding a 22-5 record and riding a six-game winning streak. Texas, on the other hand, is aiming to make the College World Series for the first time since 2022.
