Wood leaving Warren Central for Alcorn Central’s top spot|[5/13/06]

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 15, 2006

Fiery Warren Central assistant baseball coach Jeff Wood is getting the chance to run his own program.

The Vikings’ assistant for the past five seasons, Wood accepted the head coaching position at Alcorn Central near Corinth. The move was finalized Thursday night.

&#8220They called me,” said Wood, who attended New Hope High School near Columbus. &#8220They asked if I’d be interested, so I went and everything fell into place.”

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Wood came to Warren Central soon after current coach Randy Broome was promoted from the assistant’s job. He coaches mainly pitchers and acts as the team’s third base coach.

At Alcorn Central, he inherits a team not steeped in tradition. The school won a state championship in the early 90s, but has not been as productive since.

&#8220It’s the kind of program where you don’t have to go in there and follow in anyone’s footsteps,” Wood said. &#8220It’s something to build on.”

Wood, who is married with two children, said being closer to his wife’s family in Northeast Alabama played a part in his decision to leave WC.

&#8220Naturally you want to be a head coach somewhere,” Wood said.

Wood and Broome guided the Vikings to the playoffs in every season he has been here. This year, the team lost in the opening round of the playoffs to Vicksburg.

As excited as he is to have his own team, Wood said leaving his first high school coaching job is tough.

&#8220It’s bittersweet,” he said. &#8220This is a great place to work and I’m a little sad leaving close friends. But I have gained a lot of knowledge here about how to handle a program.”

Wood also will be an assistant football coach at Alcorn.

A search for a new assistant at WC will begin soon.