BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Matt McDonnell has announced that he will step away from his position as Executive Director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center at the end of February 2026.

McDonnell will retire as the longest-serving employee after completing his 40th year of employment with the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Commission.

Matt started his career at the University of Alabama in 1980, where he began High Tide Productions, the concert division of the student activity organization. He successfully produced shows in Coleman Coliseum, the Quad, and Bryant-Denny Stadium for three years.

McDonnell worked for 1 year in Mobile at the Mobile Municipal Auditorium before moving to South Mississippi in March of 1986 as a temporary employee.

He was hired full-time in July of 1986

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