The Columbia school board approved Monday afternoon hiring Perry Central High School football coach Chip Bilderback to lead the Wildcats football program.
Superintendent Jason Harris said in a news release that Bilderback is "one of the top young coaches" in Mississippi.
"I am confident that he is the right coach to lead us back to competing for division and state titles," Harris said. "More important than winning championships, I know he will make our young men champions both on and off the field."
The El Centro, Calif., native has 16 years of coaching experience and most recently led Perry Central to back-to-back playoff appearances. The 2A school went 10-2 this season with both of its losses coming to teams who made it to the South State final (Collins and Taylorsville) by a combined eight points.
Bilderback explained what attracted him to the open position at Columbia High School following his introductory press conference Monday afternoon.
"Mr. Harris sold me within the first two minutes that this was a place that wanted to win championships, and that excited me. From the outside looking in, I've always been attracted by what the baseball team has done here and the basketball success they have had in the past, and also the football success. I'm a firm believer in winning breeds winning and success breeds success, so that's what attracted me about the job."
He replaces James Harvey, who stepped down in November after accumulating an 8-21 record over three seasons. The Wildcats, who compete in the 3A classification, went 3-7 in 2017 and missed the playoffs.
For more details, see Thursday's C-P.
