SuperTalk Mississippi reported Oct. 19, 2026, that Pearl River Community College announced the resignation of head football coach Seth Smith after a 3-5 start to the 2026 season; Smith was 19-40 during his seven seasons leading the Wildcats.
The school did not provide an official reason for the resignation, the report said.
“We are profoundly grateful for Coach Smith’s leadership, and for the passion, care, and unwavering commitment he brought to our student-athletes and PRCC,” Pearl River President Dr. Adam Breerwood said. Breerwood said Smith’s impact reached beyond his role and that the college appreciates the time and energy he invested in the program.
Smith began his coaching career at Picayune after playing at PRCC. From 2004-08 he coached running backs and defensive backs before becoming defensive coordinator. He later served as defensive coordinator at Pearl River Central High School and took his first head coaching job at East Central High School in 2013, where he led the Hornets to their first playoff appearance in 12 years in his second season. His 2017 East Central team went unbeaten in the regular season and finished as MHSAA Class 4A runners-up. He became PRCC’s head coach in 2020.
At Pearl River, Smith’s teams were noted for strong rushing attacks and defense. In his first two seasons the Wildcats finished with the top rushing offense in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference. In 2022 PRCC ranked first in the MACCC in defense and sixth nationally in points allowed per game; Smith was named South Division Coach of the Year that season and led the program to its first six-win season since 2010. Over the next four seasons, including the 2026 campaign, his record was 8-26.
“Coaching comes with tremendous challenges, expectations, and pressures, but at the end of the day, the relationships we build and the people we impact matter most,” Pearl River Athletics Director Michael Avalon said. Avalon added that Smith is grounded in his faith, cares about his players and will always be a Wildcat.
According to PRCC, the school has already begun its search for its next head coach, SuperTalk Mississippi reported.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
