Welcome to Northwest Mississippi Community College!

Northwest Sports Hall of Fame to induct former coach
by LaJuan Tallo
5/8/2006

Michael Joe Cannon, a former football player and coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College, is one of four people who will be inducted into the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the David M. Haraway Center on the Senatobia campus.

At Calhoun City High School, Cannon was a letterman from 1975 through 1977 in both football and baseball. During his senior year, he was team captain of his football team and voted Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Back.

He attended Northwest from 1978 to 1980, starting as a defensive end during his years as a Ranger. Cannon "redshirted" in 1979 due to a knee injury suffered in practice, followed by surgery. During his sophomore year, the Rangers were All-State for the North Half. He was selected to play in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game as well. During the 1980 season, Cannon had 31 unassisted tackles, 50 assists, and five fumble recoveries.

Following his career as a Northwest Ranger, Cannon received a football scholarship from Memphis State University. He started as a defensive end and played for the Tigers for two years. During his senior year at Memphis, he received honorable mention in the Metro Conference, and was voted team captain by his fellow teammates. He was named as Most Valuable Player by the Memphis State University coaching staff that year as well. Cannon received a bachelor's degree in education from Memphis State University.

Cannon returned to Northwest in 1983, coaching defense for the Rangers under Head Coach Bobby Franklin until 1986.

Upon the death of his father, he took over the family's small used car business in Calhoun City, and developed it into one of the largest used car dealerships in north Mississippi. Today Cannon is the owner of Cannon Motor Company in Calhoun City and Grenada, Cannon Chevrolet-Cadillac and Cannon Nissan in Greenwood and Cannon Ford Lincoln Mercury in Cleveland.

Cannon, who now resides in Greenwood, is active in his community as a board member of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, and as member of the Greenwood Rotary Club. He is on the board of directors of the local Boys Club, and is a deacon at North Greenwood Baptist Church. He and his wife Cheryl, have three children, Tyler, Morgan and Luke. His mother, Melba Cannon, lives in Calhoun City.

Tickets for the banquet are $20 and need to be requested by May 10. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs by calling (662) 560-1105.