Chris Wood, current Har-Ber High School head football coach, will begin a new role at the district level with the Springdale School District Athletic Department on Jan. 4, 2023.
Wood has served as the head football coach at Har-Ber for 17 years, beginning the program in 2006. Through his prestigious tenure at the school, his teams boasted one state title in 2009, two state runner ups in 2007 and 2015, four conference titles in 2007, 2009, 2015 and 2016 and two rankings in the Top 25 for USA Today in 2010 and 2017.
“I am proud of our legacy at Har-Ber,” Wood said. “I am excited to bring the same drive, determination and results to impact thousands of students on the district level.”
Wood has a total of 26 years of coaching experience, 21 of which as a head football coach, with an overall record of 154-99. In addition to coaching at Har-Ber, Wood was an assistant coach at Springdale High School, head football coach and assistant football coach at Shiloh Christian School and head football coach at Nashville High School in Nashville, Arkansas.
"Chris Wood built a football program from the ground up at Har-Ber and took it to the mountain top,” said Wayne Stehlik, Springdale Public Schools athletic director. “More importantly, he is a man of great character and integrity, and he and his family love the city of Springdale. With Chris Wood joining the Athletic Department team, he will now be able to have a greater impact on the nearly 4,000 student athletes in the Springdale School District.”
Dr. Paul Griep, Har-Ber High School principal, said he supports the move to the district level.
“Coach Wood has been a pillar at Har-Ber High School since it opened in 2005. He has built a legacy of excellence for our football program. Har-Ber football is respected due to his leadership,” Griep said. “I am excited about the future of Springdale athletics. Although he will be missed by our Wildcat family, I know that all of the teams in the district will benefit from his passion, leadership and vision for excellence.”
Dr. Jared Cleveland, Springdale Public Schools superintendent, said he looks forward to how Wood’s experience will serve Springdale’s student athletes.
“Chris Wood has served with dignity and honor. He is a man of character,” Cleveland said. “We look forward to his continued leadership and impact on all students of Springdale Schools in his new role.”
Wood said it's been an honor to serve as the head coach at Har-Ber these past 17 years.
"One of my dreams as a coach was to build a program from the ground up, and I was able to do that in a very special place like Springdale," Wood said. "I have also been blessed to work alongside great teachers, administration and coaches."
Wood expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work at the district level.
"I want to say thank you to Dr. Cleveland and Athletic Director Stehlik for the opportunity to advance my career and continue to impact students' lives," Wood said. "I look forward to serving all athletic programs in our district as I have tried my best to serve at Har-Ber."
The search for the next Har-Ber High School head football coach is underway, Cleveland said.
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