The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

High School Sports

Discussion

May 8, 2012

Matt Holt takes over Pierce City football

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

Matt Holt, defensive coordinator the past six seasons at Monett High School, has been named head football coach at Pierce City High School.

Mac Whitehead recently resigned as the Eagles’ coach after two years to become an assistant at Neosho High School for Jared Schoonover.

Holt, who’ll be 30 on July 19, worked for Alan Spencer four years and Chad Depee two years at Monett.

Holt, who’ll assist in boys basketball and track at Pierce City, also will teach physical education.

“I’m very excited,” Holt said on Monday. “I know there’s optimism at Pierce City. They have tradition and high expectations. We have a lot of connection with Pierce City.”

Holt, a 2001 graduate of Nevada High School, was a strong safety at Ottawa University — Pat Ross was the Braves’ coach — before a shoulder injury forced him to the sidelines.

Holt, a running back-cornerback, had the unusual experience of playing for three coaches at Nevada — Bruce Humphrey, Doug Martin two years and Jerry Cornelius.

Holt then transferred to Missouri Southern State University. He served three years for the Lions as a student assistant under Bill Cooke (1) and the late John Ware (2). He worked with defensive backs and linebackers.

Those Pierce City connections are family strong.

Holt’s wife, Amy (formerly Pierce), is a graduate of Pierce City High School and Missouri Southern. Her parents still live in Pierce City.

The Holts have a son, Cayden, 1.

Holt said he has two assistants set with the Eagles for next season in Beau Davis and Jonathon Derryberry.

Text Only
High School Sports
Facebook
Poll

President Barack Obama recently made a decision to arm the rebels in Syria's civil war, in which nearly 100,000 people have been killed. Do you support the decision to arm the rebels fighting President Bashar Assad's regime?

A. Yes.
B. No.
     View Results
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
NDN Video
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8 Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park 3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies