JACKSON – Former Northwest head football coach Jack Wright can add another accolade following his 2015 banner season with the Rangers.

Wright was recently named the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Community College Football Coach of the Year. He was also named MACJC/NJCAA Region 23 and NJCAA National Coach of the Year, becoming the first Northwest coach to receive the national honor since the award's inception in 2002.

Wright inherited a 1-8 team on three years probation in 2013 and quickly put the Rangers back on the map. Down a total of 10 scholarship players to the rest of the MACJC, Wright and his staff put together one of the most memorable seasons in 2015 and defeated six ranked teams along the way to a national championship. Northwest finished in the top 10 in the nation in 23 different statistical categories on its way to the title. 

Northwest went 15-7 overall (.682) and 9-3 in north division play under Wright, making the playoffs in each of his two seasons. In addition to the national title, he led the Rangers to their first conference championship since 1999 last season and a second bowl victory in four seasons.

Prior to a one-year stint in 2013 as the offensive line coach at Holmes, the Batesville native was the Rangers' offensive coordinator from 2008-12. While serving on Ricky Woods' staff, Wright guided one of the most prolific offenses in the nation during the five-year stretch. Northwest ranked in the top five in the country in total offense at 434.1 ypg in 2012 (3rd in the NJCAA) and 485.4 ypg in 2011 (5th).

Wright resigned in February to take the position of offensive line coach at Southern Mississippi. He was replaced by former defensive coordinator Benjy Parker.