Longtime assistant gets shot

Todd Wood has been one of the state’s most respected assistant coaches in high school football.

This year, the longtime defensive coordinator at Pulaski Academy and Russellville is getting his opportunity to be a head coach at Heber Springs.

Wood was Pulaski Academy’s defensive coordinator from 2002-16, helping the Bruins win six state championships, including three in a row from 2014-16 with Coach Kevin Kelley. He coached current University of Arkansas linebacker Hayden Henry, the 2016 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette AllArkansas Preps Defensive Player of the Year, at Pulaski Academy.

From 2017-19, Wood was at Russellville on Jeff Weaver’s staff as defensive coordinator. He accepted the Heber Springs position in January.

Wood, 54, is in his first head coaching position in football, but he feels like he’s been prepared thanks to his experience working for Kelley and Weaver, along with Russellville offensive coordinator David Farr, who has head coaching experience at Maumelle.

“They’ve showed me the way,” Wood said. “I worked with Coach Kelley for so long. His motto was, ‘Expect the unexpected and do the unexpected.’

“I’ve worked for Jeff Weaver and David Farr. I’ve learned a lot from those guys. I wanted to take what they gave me.”

Heber Springs is coming off a 4-7 season in which it earned the No. 5 seed from the 4A-2 Conference. The Panthers earned a playoff berth in the final week of the regular season with a 2814 victory at Mills, but lost in the first round at Shiloh Christian 62-27.

Wood said the Panthers have 31 players participating in fall practice, which began Monday. Although he would like more numbers, he appreciates the team’s effort thus far.

“The kids have had great attitudes,” Wood said. “The kids have really showed off. We’ve had a great week of practice.”

The Panthers will run multiple schemes offensively and defensively, Wood said. He will serve as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in addition to his head coaching duties. Former Decatur coach James Ortiz is the team’s defensive coordinator.

Heber Springs is scheduled to open the season Sept. 4 against Newport at home. Wood said he is preparing the Panthers as if they will have a game to play in early September.

“I tell our guys every day at practice, today may be the last time you put on that football uniform and go at it,” Wood said. “For us, we plan to play a game Sept. 4. It’s a privilege, not a right to put on that uniform.

“It’s not up to me. It’s up to people smarter than me. Whatever happens will happen. We’ll be getting geared up to play.”