STARKVILLE — It’s now official.
Ricky Woods officially took over the Starkville High School football program Friday afternoon when the Starkville School District approved his hiring as head football coach.
Milton Smith is also the new Starkville High School athletic director.
Both men will be formally introduced at a press conference Tuesday.
“I’ve been doing this a long time but to be able to hire a true living legend in the sport was the pinnacle,” Starkville principal David Baggett said.
Woods replaces Jamie Mitchell who resigned earlier this month to take the same job at North Little Rock High School in Arkansas.
Mitchell compiled a 51-17 record in five seasons, including leading the Yellow Jackets to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state championship in 2012.
This past season, Starkville finished 13-1, losing to eventual state champion South Panola in the North State Class 6A championship game.
Ironically, South Panola is where Woods made his mark. He guided the Tigers to consecutive state championships from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he won two state titles at Ackerman.
Woods told players Thursday at Peabody High School (Trenton, Tennessee) he would not be returning for a third season. In two years at Peabody, Woods compiled a 23-5 record.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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