Former Ranger and Senatobia native Mark Hogan wrapped up his fourth season as the Northwest men's head soccer coach in 2021.
Hogan was named to the head coaching job in June 2018 and replaced Charlie Baldwin, who announced his retirement after 13 seasons coaching both the men's and women's soccer programs, including the last five as the men's head coach.
Northwest turned a major corner in Hogan's fourth season, finishing third in the MACCC North Division and earning the program's first playoff bid since 2016. The Rangers won all four of their matches of the 2021 season against division rivals, including a sweep against Holmes and an upset against division runner-up Hinds.
Hogan's third season was unlike any other, as the Rangers 2020 season did not commence until the spring of 2021, due to COVID-19 postponements nationwide. On paper, Northwest finished 1-9-1 overall and 1-6-1 in the MACCC North Division, but the Rangers had five losses by two goals or less.
In his second season with the Rangers, Northwest posted a 2-12-1 overall record but earned both wins against MACJC North Division opponents, putting the program in playoff contention heading into their regular season finale at Itawamba. The team would just barely miss out on the postseason with the loss at ICC.
Despite missing the postseason, Hogan's players still stood out on the pitch with goalkeeper Tim Spencer, forward Dodger Rhone and midfielder Adrian Suarez earning the chance to compete in the MACJC All-Star game. Spencer also collected 114 saves during the 2019 season and left Northwest as the program's all-time saves leader with 210 stops.
Additionally, the Rangers were also co-recepients of the Tom Shepherd Award for sportsmanship, splitting the honor with East Central and Hinds. Forward Cam Donaldson also signed to play at the next level, joining MUW.
Hogan inherited a roster with 17 freshmen and only four starters returning in his first season and directed the Rangers to a 2-10-1 record. Three sophomores were selected to compete in the MACJC All-Star Game at season's end, with freshman Joseph Hayes earning all-conference honors.
Prior to Northwest, Hogan spent six seasons at Lake Cormorant High School as a coach and teacher. He coached the boys' program for the last six seasons and girls' soccer program for the previous two. The Gators enjoyed a record-breaking 2017 season, finishing the year with single-season school records for wins, goals and assists.
His duties spread far and wide at LCHS, not only coaching the team, but taking care of the grounds, responsible for stats and promotion of the team and even started a booster club with former co-worker Andrew Olsen in 2013.
Hogan played for Senatobia High School, where he was named team MVP his senior season, and was a goalkeeper on the 2003 Ranger squad that went 10-7-1 and posted the second-most wins in program history.
Hogan went on to receive his bachelor's in business administration in 2007 and his master of arts in teaching secondary in 2014 from Mississippi State University.
He and his wife, Hannah, of Arkabutla, celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary in August 2020.
