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H. R. No. 114 *HR26/R2673* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Varner
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 114
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING FLORENCE HIGH 1
SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER COACH BILL HOOD ON HIS OUTSTANDING COACHING 2
CAREER. 3
WHEREAS, Bill Hood, Coach of the Florence High School Girls 4
Varsity Soccer Team, is a highly successful coach who has amassed 5
a phenomenal record over his 20-year coaching career, most 6
recently capping an incredible season by leading the Lady Eagles 7
to yet another state title when the squad captured the 2026 8
Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A 9
State Championship in their third straight title game appearance; 10
and 11
WHEREAS, under Coach Hood's leadership and direction, the 12
Lady Eagles have earned their reputation of being a powerhouse of 13
a program, with the team's 2026 state title being the fourth 14
during his 11-year tenure at Florence High School after the ladies 15
brought the Gold Ball home in 2018, 2022 and 2024; and 16
WHEREAS, the 2026 championship win for the Lady Eagles marked 17
Coach Hood's 200th win out of 259 games he has coached, and of his 18
H. R. No. 114 *HR26/R2673* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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eight championship appearances throughout his coaching career, 19
Coach Hood has led his teams to victory on five occasions; and 20
WHEREAS, Coach Hood, a Mississippi native who played club 21
soccer with Clinton Arsenal, where he won State Cups and 22
represented Mississippi at Regionals every year, excelled on the 23
pitch as a high school player, winning two state championships as 24
team captain, and as a standout defender for Mississippi College 25
and Spring Hill College, where he earned a bachelor of science 26
degree in biology and chemistry; and 27
WHEREAS, before arriving at Florence High School, Coach Hood 28
coached several teams at various levels, including men's and 29
women's soccer at Spring Hill, boys and girls club teams, 30
including with the MS Fire and MS Rush, and Madison-Ridgeland 31
Academy Girls Soccer, which included a championship appearance; 32
and 33
WHEREAS, in addition to his full-time coaching and educator 34
duties at Florence High, Coach Hood, selected as the 2022 United 35
Soccer Coach of the Year, is a United States Soccer Federation 36
(USSF) "D" licensed coach and a longtime Brandon Futbol Club staff 37
coach; and 38
WHEREAS, no matter what club or program he has been with, 39
Coach Hood has superbly mentored and inspired players of all ages 40
and levels, constantly refining their skills while tirelessly 41
supporting and encouraging each and every individual team member 42
to be the best athlete possible; and 43
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ST: Coach Bill Hood; commend Florence High
School Girls Soccer coach on outstanding
coaching career.
WHEREAS, Coach Hood, lovingly supported by his wife and son, 44
has humbly described the important role soccer has played in his 45
life by stating, in his own words, "Soccer has had such a positive 46
influence on my life, I hope that I can show my appreciation to 47
the game, my coaches and mentors by giving back through it"; and 48
WHEREAS, the success of so many teams and individual players 49
over the years who have been fortunate to know Bill Hood as "Coach 50
Hood" is a testament to his truly having lived out his desire to 51
give back to others through the sport of soccer, and it is most 52
appropriate that the House of Representatives recognize and 53
commend Coach Hood on his superb accomplishments that have 54
positively impacted and bettered the lives of countless 55
student-athletes in the Magnolia State: 56
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 57
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 58
commend and congratulate Florence High School Girls Soccer Coach 59
Bill Hood on his outstanding career as a soccer coach and extend 60
sincerest wishes to him for continued success in all his future 61
endeavors. 62
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 63
furnished to Coach Bill Hood and to the members of the Capitol 64
Press Corps. 65