Corky Palmer

Carlton Devan Palmer

• School University of Southern Mississippi
• High School Hattiesburg High School
• Born March 14, 1954 in Hattiesburg, MS USA
• Died August 10, 2022 in Collins, MS USA

Biographical Information

Corky Palmer led Southern Mississippi to its first College World Series trip ever.

Palmer was the catcher for the University of Southern Mississippi in the 1970s. He coached high school baseball for six years, going 102-52. In 1985-1986, he was assistant coach at Southern Mississippi. He coached Meridian Community College to a 409-160 record from 1987-1996, leading the team to the 1996 Junior College World Series finals.

In 1997, Palmer was hired to coach Southern Miss. He led the team to its first Conference USA title in 2003, winning Conference Coach of the Year honors. The school set a new record for wins at 47-16. Six years later, he led them to the 2009 College World Series, their first time in the CWS. He retired following the Series. He then retired and was succeed by Berry, his assistant at Meridian and Southern Miss and his successor previously at Meridian.

Source: Southern Mississippi bio