Thomas D. "Dobie" Holden—1948-66 Wildcat Head Coach

   PRC's "master motivator" Coach T.D. "Dobie" Holden is also one of the first to be selected into the Hall of Fame. 

   From 1948 to 1966 the Wildcats, under Coach Holden, won 140 games, lost 43, tied 7, and were state champions seven times.  His 1961 team was undefeated and ranked number one in the nation.  His teams were always in the nation's top ten.  He led his 'Cats to 17 straight wins over arch rival Gulf Coast and won four of five bowl games.  Holden teams were innovative and devastating. 

   His playing years at Picayune High School and at LSU came at the dawn of football's modern era, his coaching years spanned an era when football grew into the national sport. 

   Holden was one of the first ot recognize the potential of the forward pass, even as early as his high school days, and his experimentation with the pro-set at Pearl River College in the 1950's came way before that formation became standard procedure for college and pro teams. 

   After starring at LSU, Holden returned to Picayune to become head coach in 1933.  In 10 years the Tide won 72, lost 19 and tied 7.  At one time his Picayune teams won 37 straight games. 

   Holden resigned from Picayune in 1943; took a job with a shipbuilding firm in Slidell and a year later he was back in coaching—this time in Pascagoula.  Picked last in the 19 team Big Eight Conference, Holden led the Pascagoula team to the championship. 

   By 1948 Coach Holden had accepted the head position for the Pearl River College Wildcats.  The rest is history.  Holden's lifetime record is 240-74-15. 

   Along with Holden's impressive record, he also left an indelible mark on numerous successful coaches and businessmen across the South.  Holden died in 1986, but his competitive attitude on life remains alive in so many today.