Noble named Head Women's Soccer Coach

The Holmes Community College Lady Bulldogs have reported to Fall camp, and the squad will now be under the leadership of newly-named head coach Wesley Noble.

Noble begins his first season as head coach of the women's program after serving as associate women's soccer coach/assistant men's soccer coach for the past five seasons.

The Brandon native played for Brandon High School, where he was All-Division his sophomore, junior, and senior year. He was also All-State selection, All-District Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and team captain.

Following high school, Noble went on to play for Francis Marion University in South Carolina, Holmes Community College, and Mississippi College.

At Holmes, Noble was captain, the team's Most Valuable Player, an NJCAA All-Region selection and the all-time assist record holder for the program. He was also a part of the team that won the program's first-ever North division title. While at Mississippi College, the team won the first ever conference championship. He was also a student assistant for the Mississippi College Men's Soccer team and is currently the Director of Coaching for Brandon Futbol Club, where he has coached since 2010.

Additionally, Noble currently holds his USSF "D" license, NSCAA Level 5 and 6 Diploma, and NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. Fun Fact: Wesley holds the record at Holmes for the most goals scored in a single game.

"I couldn't be more excited to be in this position," Noble said. "I am very thankful that Dr. Haffey and (Athletic Director) Andy Wood have given me this opportunity. Holmes is home for me. It's been that way since I played here my sophomore year of college. I have been fortunate to be coaching here for 7 years now and am thrilled to take that next step into the women's head coaching role."

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 season was pushed to the Spring Semester. Also, the Mississippi colleges moved to the NJCAA's newly-created Division II. Holmes was ranked No. 2 in the preseason and stayed in that position for most of the season and finished as No. 2. The 2020-21 Lady Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 15-1-1. The team won their fifth straight North Division Championship before the taking the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference and Region XXIII titles. With the Region XXIII title, the Lady Bulldogs were named the NJCAA South District Championship giving them their first trip to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.

Holmes made it to the national championship game but fell to Phoenix College, 2-1, in double overtime. The Lady Bulldogs knocked off Allen in the first round, 2-1; St. Louis, 4-0, in the second round; Heartland, 2-1, in double OT in the semifinals.

The 2019 Lady Bulldogs captured their first MACJC championship with a 3-1 win over Itawamba. The Lady Bulldogs then knocked off LSU-Eunice, 1-0, in the Region XXIII championship game. With the win the Lady Bulldogs played in their first NJCAA

Tournament but fell to Tyler in the NJCAA Gulf South District Championship.

Noble said culture established at Holmes Community College has led to the success of the program.

"We have great people that are also great players that come in year after year and hold each other to a standard and put their personal agendas to the side," Noble said. "You mix that with great administration, great staff, great teachers and great facilities and you have something special.

"The future is extremely exciting both short term and long," he said. "We are thrilled for this year's group that is coming in.  It's a very deep roster that has a lot of talent, and I think we will be successful. Our 2022 class is shaping up great as well. The locker rooms that are in the works are absolutely first class and will give us another edge. Those should be here in the very near future and our staff, players, and recruits are so excited.

"You don't get to a national final without a great backing," he added. "Everything the school and administration does for us in regards to taking care of us plays a huge role in these players' successes on the field. It is very apparent that soccer is a priority here with all the new facilities. I don't think anyone will question that once they see our new soccer facility very soon. It is next level stuff."

Noble said Coach Matt Convertino, who previously served as head coach for both the men's and women's program, played a major role in his development as a player at Holmes and as a soccer coach. Convertino and the men's team are currently undergoing fall workouts as well.

"Matt has been an unreal mentor for me," Noble said. "He has helped me grow in my profession and as a person in numerous ways. He allowed me to transfer into Holmes as a player then he took me in as a volunteer assistant while I finished school.

"For the past five years, we saw tremendous amounts of success together," he added. "I wouldn't be where I am today without him.  He is Holmes Soccer.  He built this place with the help of great administration. The two fields we have, the locker room plans, the scoreboard, the new entrance way that's coming in, the bleachers, he was the one working for all that. His commitment to this school and the soccer programs has been a great example to me and I can't thank him enough."

Noble said the soccer program is attractive for players who want to compete and love who they compete with. "I really think it is that simple," Noble said. "They love to compete in everything they do both on the field and off and that separates them from others. This isn't a place where you are guaranteed anything. You have to earn it and our kids do just that.  

"We've lost seven games in five years, and that is because of what our players put in on a daily basis," he said. "They get after one another each and every day and love each other the minute they walk off the field. I think people see that and want to be a part of it. The best part about Holmes Soccer is the people inside it, our players, without question."

He said he doesn't expect many things to change. "I will take on a few more administrative roles but I am excited for it," he said. "I can't wait to get on the field and continue to build on the success we have had previously."

Noble is currently the Director of Coaching for Brandon Futbol Club, where he has coached since 2010. He is also the general manager for MS Rush United. Additionally, Noble currently holds his USSF "D" license, NSCAA Level 5 and 6 Diploma, and NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma.