"They all said that if you don't take advantage of this situation and do what's best for you and your family, you'll regret it," Wood said.
So it was that just weeks after accepting the boys basketball coaching position at Flowery Branch, Wood made the decision to change schools and accept another offer from Gainesville High, taking the Red Elephants job that came open after Wood originally opted to join the Falcons.
Wood was introduced as Gainesville's coach on Tuesday.
"It's been an experience to say the least," said Wood, who is coming off his second state semifinal appearance in seven seasons with the North Hall boys. The coach also led the Johnson girls to two state "Final Four" berths in 2005 and '06 and will follow Todd Cottrell, who guided the Red Elephants to the Class AAAAA championship game in 2012-13 before leaving to take the boys basketball job at Lakeview Academy in April.
"Two weeks ago (Gainesville High athletic director) Wayne Vickery called me and asked if I would be interested, and I told him 'no,' but he was very persistent," Wood said. "Nothing in my background ever really prepared me for this, but coach Vickery would not give up, and Gainesville is going to give me some amazing opportunities."
Wood said the decision to join the Red Elephants proved agonizing but that he was content with the move.
"The last week has been difficult, and I'm just relieved all parties involved can move forward now," Wood said. "The people I have spoken to about this have been very supportive and understanding, including several players at Flowery Branch. I'm sure there will be some people who will talk bad about this, but I can't control anyone else, and I'm doing what's best for my family."
The Red Elephants were thrilled to land Wood, who also led North Hall to a Lanierland Tournament title and a school-best record of 28-4 in 2012-13, including the program's fifth state playoff appearance in seven seasons -- after the Trojans had done so in just four of the previous 15 campaigns.
"It's amazing that we got this done," Vickery said. "With the end of school coming we were up against the clock. We had a lot...a lot of quality applicants, but I think we got the best man for the job.
"He said no to me about five times, but I was persistent."
For his part, Flowery Branch athletic director Shannon Benton said he understood Wood's decision and is already moving on with filling the vacancy for the Falcons.
"We're disappointed, but we certainly don't begrudge him for it. He's got to take care of his family," Benton said. "He and I are friends, and I know this was not an easy decision for him."
Benton added that he has already begun the search for a new coach and is already well into the process.
"We've had over 50 applicants, and we've got them coming from everywhere," Benton said. "We've got one from a coach who won state last year and two or three who were in the 'Elite Eight' last year.
"We're not going to be in a hurry, but we're going to try to get the right person for the job. We need somebody who is going to come in and work hard because that is what has helped make our other programs successful. And they will need to work from the elementary school up to the high school."
Flowery Branch coach Duke Mullis resigned following the 2012-13 season after leading the Falcons for five seasons and reaching the state playoffs in 2009.
Wood, meanwhile, says he will utilize the same style and systems at Gainesville that he has employed to great effect at his previous programs.
"We're going to do what we've always done and roll up our sleeves and work hard," the coach said. "Hopefully we can put a team together that people can be proud of."
The Red Elephants certainly thrilled fans in 2012-13, winning the Region 8-AAAAA title before embarking on a historic playoff run that ended with the program's first state championship game appearance since 1984 -- a finale Gainesville dropped 61-57 to Miller Grove.
"We're not going to talk about building a tradition here; Gainesville already has that tradition and we want to embrace it," Wood said. "We just want to put our own wrinkle with it. That tradition has been here a long time before me and will be here a long time after me. I'm just excited I can be a part of it."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/4/261050