Summers named new offensive coordinator

Holmes Community College alumnus and Southaven native Jacob "Cob" Summers has returned to Holmes Community College as offensive coordinator. Summers coached last season at Mississippi College after serving as offensive line coach at Holmes during the 2018 season.

Summers played along the offensive line for two seasons (2016-17) at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. While at Holmes, Summers played along the offensive line from 2014 and 2015. He received the Col. Brad MacNealey Leadership Award and the team's offensive lineman award and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

"I am very thankful for this chance to become the next offensive coordinator at Holmes," Summers said. "I would like to thank Head Coach Raymond Gross and AD Andy Wood for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. When kids come here to play, they are not just going to play football, they will become part of a family. They will also be a part of a family that loves to compete, one that prepares to win a ton of games, and develop into the best players they can be!" 

"I am excited to be offensive coordinator because it will help me grow as a coach," he said. "I am thankful for the opportunity to help run the offense alongside Coach Gross. I am looking forward to returning and help build the offense that will compete at the highest level."

Coming back to where his college playing career began was important for Summers. "This is more than just a coaching job to me," he said. "I have seen how far this program has come and will do everything I can to make it the best in the near future. The players at Holmes CC want to be great. I am excited to help develop a culture that will teach young men to become successful men and one that will teach men to win as a family. The potential for success is high here at Holmes CC." 

Holmes Head Coach Raymond Gross said he was pleased when Summers applied for the job.

"I think Cob brings a wealth of knowledge of the offense and the program," Gross said. "I needed someone with offensive line experience, and Cob fits the bill. Cob was an outstanding lineman for us. He's a hard worker and effort guy which transforms to him to being a good fit for the program as a coach.

"He's a high character guy," he said. "He hasn't done anything that has come across even remotely not good in his experience here. He knows the program inside and out. He played on a team that was successful and he helped get the program turned in the right direction."

Gross said he will call the plans this season but expects Summers to be able to take those reins very soon.

"The thing that set Cob apart from everybody else who applied is his knowledge of offensive line. He played the position in this offense, he's coached the position in this offense and now he's going to be the offensive coordinator in this offense," said Gross.

Summers said he enjoyed playing in the flex bone offense at Holmes and knows how successful it has been for the Bulldogs. Holmes led the NJCAA in rushing and has been at or near the top for the last six seasons.

"We have great potential to lead in rushing, control the game clock and still have plenty of opportunities for our receivers to make explosive plays down field," Summers said. "The flex bone is difficult for defenses to defend. The speed and physicality with which we play will be difficult for teams to simulate. These factors I believe will give us an edge to become the top team in the nation.

"Holmes has helped prepare players to the best at whatever they do and prepares them for the future," he said. "We work with amazing coaches, players, support staff and professors that help our program succeed. Holmes CC is a place that wants to win. The MACJC is the best junior college league in the country. We will be competing against great coaches and programs."

A 2014 graduate of DeSoto Central High School in Southaven, Summers holds an associate's degree from Holmes and a bachelor's degree from Harding.

The football coaching staff is still looking to hire an offensive assistant coach with the primary responsibility of working with the running backs. The position should be opening soon.

"I'm taking my time on that position simply because it's a very important position on the offensive side of the ball," Gross said. "I want to find someone with experience, but if I can't I want to make sure it's the right fit.

"I think we've put together a pretty good staff," he said. "We are diversified in its makeup and experience level and age. That's a good thing. We have some young guys who want to get out there and work and get better as a coach. We have some older guys including myself that have been around for a little bit. We have guys from different backgrounds, and that'll make us a better coaching staff."