New UMS-Wright coach Sam Williams was 45-10 in four seasons at Brandon (Miss.) High, including three appearances in the state championship game. (Photo courtesy of the Clarion-Ledger)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
UMS-Wright has hired highly regarded Brandon (Miss.) High School coach Sam Williams as its next head football coach, the school announced on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon
A formal press conference to introduce Williams will be held next week, the school said
Williams succeeds the legendary Terry Curtis, who recently announced his retirement after winning eight state championships with the Bulldogs. Curtis finished his career as the state’s No. 2 all-time winningest coach with a 361-105 record in 36 years, including 284-69 in 26 seasons at UMS-Wright.
Williams, a former Mississippi State receiver, was 45-10 in four seasons at Brandon and took the Bulldogs to the state championship game three times. He was 11-4 in the playoffs.
Williams is 82-24 overall in eight years as a head coach at Ridgeland, Pelahatchie and Brandon, which finished 12-2 last year with a loss to Tupelo in the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s Class 7A championship game.
“Sam embodies the values and tradition of excellence that define our school and our athletic programs,” UMS-Wright Head of School Dr. Doug Barber said in a prepared statement. “His leadership, passion for developing student-students and keen awareness of the importance of building relationships make him the perfect fit to continue helping our students reach their highest potential. We are excited for the future under his guidance and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on our players, both on and off the field.”
