Ben’s Ford Christian School athletic director/football/assistant baseball coach Cole Holden has accepted the head football and track head coaching position at Wayne Academy in Waynesboro, Miss.

“It was a tough decision for me,” Holden said. “I love Ben’s Ford. It’s a great school. I owe Ben’s Ford a lot for the opportunity they’ve given me. It was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Holden, 29, has spent the last three-and-a-half years at Ben’s Ford. He was the offensive coordinator for one season and the athletic director/head football coach the last two. He has also been an assistant baseball coach for the last four seasons.

The Eagles football team went 6-5 in Holden’s first season as the head coach and reached the playoffs for the first time in the program’s history.

Last year, the team struggled, going 1-9. However, the win was a 40-36 victory over 2015 Class A-AA Champions Wilkinson County Christian Academy.

Holden had nothing but praise for the time he’s spent at Ben’s Ford.

“The three years I’ve spent at Ben’s Ford, I’ll treasure those years for the rest of my life,” Holden said. “I had a chance to meet a lot of great people and coach a lot of great kids. It was my first head-coaching job. Ben’s Ford will always be a special place for me.”

Ben’s Ford Christian School founder and pastor Lynn Martin said he’s happy for Holden.

“I’m proud of him. I’m thankful for the years he gave us,” Martin said.

Martin said Holden would bring strong credentials to Wayne Academy.

“He’s got a lot of experience. He knows the game of football. He’s good with the kids and he’s got good sideline mannerisms,” Martin said.