Coach Morris is stepping down

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

1 minute ago, riverrat said:

2015

http://www.cdispatch.com/sports/article.asp?aid=42241

May 27, 2015 10:39:54 AM

 

 

STARKVILLE -- New Starkville High School football coach Ricky Woods sees his latest career stop ending in one of two ways. 

 

"They will either fire me or retire me," Woods said. 

 

While the comment was made in jest, Woods used his introductory news conference at the Starkville Athletic Center to bring home the point that this would be the last job of his highly decorated coaching career. 

 

"I feel like I have come home now," Woods said. "I told my wife (Susan) that this was my last stop. I have carried her around to three states. It's time to quit all of that. I am here for as long as they want me to be here." 

 

The Starkville School District school board confirmed the hiring of Woods at a board meeting Friday. Also Tuesday, new athletic director Milton Smith was introduced. Starkville Principal David Baggett called the hiring of Woods and Smith "not home run hires, but grand slam hires." 

 

2016

http://www.cdispatch.com/sports/article.asp?aid=54332

November 17, 2016 10:51:48 AM

 

 

STARKVILLE -- Starkville High School football coach Ricky Woods has resigned and will take over as the Eupora High coach next season, according to multiple sources. 

 

Woods didn't return multiple phone calls seeking comment. Woods coached at Eupora High for five seasons from 1990-94. 

 

One source said Woods, an Ackerman native, wanted to be closer to family. 

 

Eupora High Athletic Director Stephen Edwards, who also serves as the school's football coach, didn't return multiple phone calls seeking comment. 

 

Starkville High Athletic Director Milton Smith said he hadn't talked to Woods as of Wednesday afternoon when the news broke. 

 

"I have no idea. I haven't talked to him. For him to be leaving, I hope (I get to talk to him)," Smith said. 

 

Woods, who was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame before this season, spent the last two seasons at Starkville High. He won the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship last season with a record of 14-1, the lone loss coming at Noxubee County in double overtime in the season opener. The Yellow Jackets finished 7-4 and 4-3 in Region 2. They are the first reigning Class 6A State champion to miss the playoffs. 

 

Woods coached for five seasons at South Panola High and helped the Tigers win four consecutive MHSAA Class 5A titles from 2003-06. He finished 74-1 and won 60-consecutive games at one point at the school. He also won championships at Ackerman in 1997 and 2001. 

 

Before coming to Starkville, Woods served two seasons at Trenton Peabody (Tenn.). After South Panola, Woods spent one year at Bainbridge (Ga.) before taking over at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, where he served five seasons (2008-12). 

He backed out at Europa for various reasons. Mainly money ant talent at South Panola was better. Apparently he chases money and talent. That is why he went to Peabody and Starkville. He is probably looking at Milan because of the same. Lots of talent in Milan this year. We vastly under achieved. Much more coming up the pipeline. 

[cofo]

6 hours ago, ManOfMillions said:

Yup. Showed up at a school very close to Milan and guaranteed one in 2 years did it his first year and left. 

Woods was at Peabody 2 seasons....2013-14....went 8-2 reg. season in '13....losing in 2nd round of playoffs....went 8-2 reg season in '14 then ran the table in the playoffs for the gold ball....then he left....

[tradertwo]

On ‎12‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 0:54 PM, BIGPURPLEMACHINE said:

If I was Milan I would run from him.  Yes he produces results but he won't be around for the long haul. Too many younger qualified coaches have put in for this job that will stay for a long time.  But unfortunately he is being looked at very seriously.  And for what it's worth.. When he won his TN championship he lost too Milan.

Wow. No way he's a "bad" hire, but Milan definitely has more viable long term options waiting like kids at Christmas. Woods has held "dream jobs" or at least very favorable circumstances at almost every stop, and has yet to fully commit to anyone. 95% of the coaches in Tn. would have been happy to have stuck with most jobs that he has happily left for greener pastures, but that doesn't make him a bad coach, and maybe his history of short but successful tenures fits Milan's bill too...there just might be a young coach out there that's not quite ready yet that will be willing to come home in a short few. Don't know a thing, but I'm trying to help BPM keep a positive outlook...frankly I'm shocked that the powers behind the Dawgs don't feel that there's a more solid candidate (or three) out there to lead their program long term.

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

49 minutes ago, tradertwo said:

Wow. No way he's a "bad" hire, but Milan definitely has more viable long term options waiting like kids at Christmas. Woods has held "dream jobs" or at least very favorable circumstances at almost every stop, and has yet to fully commit to anyone. 95% of the coaches in Tn. would have been happy to have stuck with most jobs that he has happily left for greener pastures, but that doesn't make him a bad coach, and maybe his history of short but successful tenures fits Milan's bill too...there just might be a young coach out there that's not quite ready yet that will be willing to come home in a short few. Don't know a thing, but I'm trying to help BPM keep a positive outlook...frankly I'm shocked that the powers behind the Dawgs don't feel that there's a more solid candidate (or three) out there to lead their program long term.

They have over 50 applicants for this job. They had a short list of 5 people that they interviewed and woods was one. I would take any of the 4 others over him. Their were even two coaches that weren't on the short list that coached teams in semi final games this year. If they give woods the job they are crazy. But I guess this is a good position to be in if your Milan. 

[RockyTop98]

BPM, none of your info is accurate. Do you know the 4 people who were on the committee? Woods did not apply, did not interview, and has not been offered the job. I'm tight with a member from the committee. Your information about salary for the head coach, how many years Woods was at Peabody and Starkville, and the "list of top 5" is simply not true. I have no idea who will be offered except I know Swenson did not interview. Neither did Woods. 

[TryNotToSuck]

So if Woods is apparently the new head coach at Milan (or will be), I guess I'll start a thread call "Milan's job opening in 2020." I understand college coaches leaving like crazy to different universities, but this dude's resume is absurd and non-commitment.

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

1 hour ago, RockyTop98 said:

BPM, none of your info is accurate. Do you know the 4 people who were on the committee? Woods did not apply, did not interview, and has not been offered the job. I'm tight with a member from the committee. Your information about salary for the head coach, how many years Woods was at Peabody and Starkville, and the "list of top 5" is simply not true. I have no idea who will be offered except I know Swenson did not interview. Neither did Woods. 

Not gonna throw any insults to argue with you but I am 100% correct about woods. You are correct Swenson did not interview. He didn't even apply. Woods might not end up being the next coach but he has applied and interviewed. Everything I have said has been accurate. 

Edited December 31, 2017 by BIGPURPLEMACHINE

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

1 hour ago, RockyTop98 said:

BPM, none of your info is accurate. Do you know the 4 people who were on the committee? Woods did not apply, did not interview, and has not been offered the job. I'm tight with a member from the committee. Your information about salary for the head coach, how many years Woods was at Peabody and Starkville, and the "list of top 5" is simply not true. I have no idea who will be offered except I know Swenson did not interview. Neither did Woods. 

But you know what. I really have said too much. There is a reason that Greg Scott and everyone else involved is being so tight lipped. I really need to to as well. I would expect they are going to give whom ever they hire an opportunity to meet with the players first and make the announcement. I will just sit back and ride this thing out and keep my mouth shut til it is made public. Should have done that some time ago. 

[RockyTop98]

I appreciate you not giving insults. Not sure why there'd be a reason to do so. Through some phone calls, I've learned why you're mistaken. The head coach from North Panola (not South Panola) was a popular candidate among the committee members. He has pulled his name from the hat. Again, I promise you are mistaken on Ricky Woods. Only Greg Scott knows who the next coach will be, but I can tell you who it WILL NOT be...Ricky Woods did not apply. 

[BIGPURPLEMACHINE]

13 minutes ago, RockyTop98 said:

I appreciate you not giving insults. Not sure why there'd be a reason to do so. Through some phone calls, I've learned why you're mistaken. The head coach from North Panola (not South Panola) was a popular candidate among the committee members. He has pulled his name from the hat. Again, I promise you are mistaken on Ricky Woods. Only Greg Scott knows who the next coach will be, but I can tell you who it WILL NOT be...Ricky Woods did not apply. 

Ok. Blessings brother! 

[RockyTop98]

Nice of you to take the moral high road in such a tumultuous conversation we were having. I read a lot on here but rarely post. I always enjoy insight from other fan bases. I wasn't trying to be rude. I just know Woods is not a candidate and my source is from a committee member. I checked again upon reading your post and he confirmed what he told me earlier. That's when I learned of North Panola coach, hence your confusion. Blessings to you as well, brother.

[bglass]

Hope whoever it is he can’t stop the wing t—lol