Holmes Community College coach Marcus Wood retiring; school to begin national search

Holmes Community College will begin a national search for its next head football coach after Marcus Wood announced his retirement on Nov. 2, 2026, SuperTalk Mississippi reported Nov. 3, 2026.

Wood was named the Bulldogs’ head coach in October 2021 and took over full-time in November 2021, SuperTalk Mississippi reported. His teams posted winning records in each of his first three seasons: 5-4 in 2022, 6-3 in 2023 and 8-2 in 2024.

The 2024 squad opened 7-0 and rose to No. 6 in the NJCAA Division I polls, earned the MACCC North Division No. 2 seed and played in the MACCC semifinals at East Central — the program’s first playoff appearance since its 2002 state championship season, SuperTalk Mississippi reported.

Before joining Holmes, Wood spent nine seasons at East Mississippi Community College under coach Buddy Stephens, where the Lions won three NJCAA national championships and five state titles. Wood was featured in the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U during his time at East Mississippi, SuperTalk Mississippi reported.

Wood also spent 10 years in Mississippi high school football. He was head coach at Gulfport High School in 2006-07, led Columbia High School to Class 3A playoff appearances each year from 2003-05, and helped Philadelphia High School reach the playoffs in 2001 and 2002, according to SuperTalk Mississippi.

His ties to Holmes date to 1996, when he was a volunteer coach on a Bulldog team that won the North Division and finished state runner-up, SuperTalk Mississippi reported.

“I’ve been blessed to coach football for 30 years, and I’m grateful I got to finish at Holmes,” Wood said in a statement quoted by SuperTalk Mississippi. “I want to thank the college, our football staff, and every player who came through here. I’ll be cheering for the Bulldogs.”

SuperTalk Mississippi reported Holmes finished the 2026 season with a 1-9 record and missed the playoffs.

Source: SuperTalk Mississippi