Colin Boone named Hernando head football coach

Photo: Colin Boone, new head football coach at Hernando High School. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Key Points

• Internal Promotion: Colin Boone moves from offensive coordinator to head coach at Hernando High School following the retirement of Steve McCann.
• Deep Roots: Boone, an Ole Miss alumnus, previously spent five years at Hernando and returns with championship head coaching experience from Kirk Academy.
• Philosophical Continuity: The Tigers will maintain a “blue-collar” identity, focusing on a physical run game and staff retention to bridge the gap in MHSAA 7A.

HERNANDO, Miss. — Hernando High School has found its next leader on the gridiron, and they didn’t have to look far. Offensive coordinator Colin Boone has been named the new head football coach of the Tigers, succeeding Steve McCann following his recent retirement announcement.

Boone, who returned to Hernando last season after a highly successful head coaching stint at Kirk Academy, expressed both gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility during an interview Wednesday.

“I’m very grateful, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead this football program,” Boone said. “I care a whole lot about this town and the kids here. It’s just a tremendous honor.”

The transition marks a homecoming of sorts for Boone. While he served as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator last year, his history with the program stretches back to the start of his career. After serving as a student assistant at the University of Mississippi, Boone spent five years at Hernando “cutting his teeth” under former coach Will Wolfe.

Boone left Hernando briefly for a two-year tenure as head coach at Kirk Academy, where he led the Raiders to a 25-1 record and a state championship. Despite that success, the pull of the Hernando community brought him back to the Tigers’ sidelines last season.

“It’s a lot of fun on Friday nights here,” Boone said. “We have an amazing community. As a 23-year-old when I first got here, I felt welcomed. People are genuine, and our kids feel that support.”

Boone noted that while McCann’s retirement “stung” personally because of his respect for the veteran coach, it has paved the way for a seamless transition. Boone intends to retain the majority of the current coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Brooks Lott, to maintain continuity for a roster that returns a significant number of experienced starters.

Tasked with competing in the grueling MHSAA 7A classification against powerhouse programs like Madison Central and Starkville, Boone said the key to closing the gap lies in daily habits.

“You have to play your best brand of football every Friday night,” Boone said. “No detail is too big or too small. We have a blue-collar mentality. I believe in being the most prepared team and finding that edge as coaches.”

Offensively, fans can expect the Tigers to remain physical. Boone emphasized that while he is happy to take what the defense gives him, the program’s identity will be rooted in the ground game.

“We’re going to run the football,” Boone said. “We want to establish the run game and play-action off of it. We believe in possessing the ball and having a physical run game.”

Beyond the wins and losses, Boone emphasized that his primary mission remains the development of the young men under his charge.

“We want to make them better men, better husbands, fathers, and employees,” Boone said. “Whether you’re 18 or 38, this game is going to pass you by. We’re going to promote the heck out of them, but first and foremost, we have to make sure the classroom is right.”