It’s amazing just how quickly things can come together in the coaching business. Monday was perhaps as crazy of an example as we’ve seen in Marion County in quite some time, if ever.
Early that morning, Columbia High announced head football coach Lance Pogue’s departure for Brandon. Merely hours later, the school announced Chip Bilderback would be returning to lead the Wildcats in a role he held from 2018-2023. In the long run, this 10-month stretch of Bilderback initially leaving, Pogue taking over, Pogue leaving and Bilderback returning may seem like just a blip on the radar, but it was a busy 10 months.
The reason for Bilderback’s departure, as he’s stated publicly and privately, was due to one thing and one thing only – family. It’s the most important thing to many, and it was certainly atop his list of priorities.
In 2023, Missy Bilderback, Chip’s wife, accepted the head coaching position at Louisiana-Monroe. The women’s basketball coach spent eight seasons at Jones College and 16 years at Presbyterian Christian, meaning this was the first time in a generation she wasn’t in the Pine Belt.
Long distance is hard, especially if there is a kid involved – namely Drew Bilderback, the pair’s son. While Missy enjoyed success in her first year leading ULM and Chip simultaneously led Columbia to a state championship appearance in 2023, the couple spent just about all of their free time traveling to visit each other. That’s taxing. That’s why no one faulted Chip for leaving Columbia to become St. Frederick’s head coach in Monroe, La.
But then, fate happened. Missy’s love for Southern Miss was no secret, as she graduated from the institution in 2001. Her name was synonymous with Pine Belt women’s basketball for an extended period of time, but there never was an opening at her alma mater. Following legendary Joye Lee-McNelis’ retirement due to health reasons at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, the opening was there. And on Sunday afternoon, she was named Southern Miss’ new head women’s basketball coach.
It just so happened that at this time, Columbia had an opening as it had been apparent for a couple of days that Pogue intended to accept the Brandon job. Then came perhaps the easiest hire Columbia superintendent Jason Harris will ever make in athletics – the return of Chip Bilderback. I’m not sure if Harris made a plan such as John “Hannibal” Smith always would, but I have no doubt Harris loved it when it all came together Monday.
If you haven’t already, go to the Columbia High Wildcat Football Facebook page to watch the video of the team’s reaction upon Bilderback’s return. It’s as wholesome as it gets. Raw emotion, pure joy. Their coach was back.
With respect to Pogue, a legend of the Mississippi prep ranks, it was quite a learning curve for the Wildcats to go from a coach as hands-on and energetic as Bilderback to Pogue, who utilizes a more CEO approach. Both methods of coaching work, but the Wildcats were much more accustomed to Bilderback’s style. There’s a reason they were so excited to see their old coach again.
Make no mistake: the Wildcats will win and win big in short order. I wouldn’t request the weekend of the 2025 football state championships off or anything, but the Wildcats will be top contenders in Class 4A as long as Bilderback is in town. We’ve seen it before. We’ll see it again.
It was a win-win for the Bilderbacks. Missy got what might just be her dream job, Chip returned to a place that’s home and where he’s been successful and Drew gets to graduate high school next year from a place he knows. It’s hard not to be happy for them.
