A Mississippi high school basketball coach was arrested over the weekend for allegedly driving under the influence.
Brian “BJ” Townsend, the head boys’ basketball coach at Canton High School, was arrested by the Reservoir Police Department and charged with DUI, no insurance, and another undisclosed traffic violation. Canton is located about 20 minutes from the Ross Barnett Reservoir.
According to Investigator Tyler Brunell with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Townsend’s bond was set at $3,500. He has since posed bond and been released.
Townsend has served as Canton’s head coach since 2022 and led the Tigers to back-to-back MHSAA 5A state championships in 2024 and 2025. The team is currently 25-6 and is set to play Olive Branch in the second round of the 6A playoffs on Wednesday. It is unclear whether Townsend will coach in the game.
The Canton Public School District said it will not be commenting due to it being a “personnel matter.”