Mississippi native Sam Williams will be the next head football coach at UMS-Wright.

The school announced the hire Tuesday afternoon. Blake Levine from WJTV Sports in Mississippi was first to report it.

“After an extensive and comprehensive search and interview process, coach Williams was selected from a group of highly qualified candidates to lead the UMS-Wright football program into its next chapter,” according to the release.

Williams replaces Terry Curtis, who announced his retirement earlier this year. The school release indicated a formal press conference will be held next week.

“Sam embodies the values and tradition of excellence that define our school and our athletic programs,” Head of School Doug Barber said in the release. “His leadership, passion for developing student-athletes, and keen awareness of the importance of building relationships, make him the perfect fit to continue helping our students reach their highest potential. We are excited for the future under his guidance and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on our players, both on and off the field.”

Williams, who spent the last four years as head coach at Brandon, Miss., is a former Mississippi State wide receiver. He has spent his entire head coaching career in the magnolia state.

He went 27-11 in three years at Class 2A Pelahatchie (2017-2019), led 5A Ridgeland to the state semifinals and a 10-3 record in his only year there and had a 45-10 record in Brandon.

The Bulldogs competed in Class 6A in Williams’ first two years there and 7A the last two years. They’ve played for a state championship in three of his four years at the school and won the district each year. His 2024 team lost to Tupelo 28-16 in Hattiesburg in the title game, finishing 12-2 on the season.

Williams’ teams have made the playoffs in each of his nine years as head coach and won at least one playoff game in each year except one.