Picayune hires one of its own to follow the legendary Dodd Lee as football coach
After Dodd Lee wrapped up his 24th and final season as the Picayune football coach, the Maroon Tide will be led next season by one of the legendary coach’s disciples.
Cody Stogner, who served on the Picayune staff the last 13 seasons and was a star player for Lee, was approved by the school board Tuesday night as the new football coach at Picayune.
“It’s been pretty much surreal,” Stogner said. “It’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time, dreaming about. Now I have the opportunity to do it at a place I played. It’s hard to put into words.”
Stogner will step down from his duties as the head baseball coach at Picayune after holding that role since 2017. His top assistant, Evan Nichelson, has been named to replace him on the baseball side.
Lee found out Wednesday morning that Stogner had been given the official OK to become the Maroon Tide head coach.
“He was an outstanding player and an outstanding assistant coach,” Lee said. “I think he’ll put his personal stamp on it and carry on and do a great job.”
Stogner, 35, served as Lee’s offensive coordinator the past few seasons, helping direct one of the most potent rushing attacks in the state. Picayune senior running back Cameron Thomas finished tied for the national lead in rushing yardage in 2019 with 3,517 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Picayune won two state championships and went 265-102 under Lee’s direction. In his final season as head coach, the Maroon Tide finished 14-1 with a 38-26 loss to West Point in the Class 5A state championship game in Hattiesburg.
Stogner hopes to build on that legacy.
“You don’t want to change anything that’s been working, and that’s the plan,” Stogner said. “I’d like to add a little bit of my personality to it. We’re not going to go too far from the status quo. We’ll keep doing what’s been working under Coach Lee. We’ll have the same recipe for success, but just some different ingredients.”
Following Dodd Lee at Picayune
Lee announced plans to retire before the 2019 season, creating a lengthy period of speculation on who might be his replacement.
“It was a long process, at least it seemed like a long time,” Stogner said. “I had a lot of sleepless nights. There were a lot of great candidates who were deserving of being to be the next head coach. I was fortunate to be in that category. I’m blessed to be the next football coach.”
Stogner understands he is filling some big shoes on the Picayune sideline.
“That man has been a huge part of my life,” he said. “He’s a mentor of mine. He coached me.
“I’ve always been a person who loves new challenges and I’m accepting the challenge of following Coach Lee. He’s had a hall of fame career. I was fortunate learn from him. I feel like the things he taught me set me up for success. I’m very appreciative of that.”
Stogner plans to maintain a close relationship with Lee, who is expected to join Seth Smith’s staff at Pearl River Community College in a yet to be determined capacity.
“We live in the same neighborhood and I play golf with him,” Stogner said. “I’ll be able to lean on him for advice.”
Lee said he’s willing to give whatever input Stogner asks for.
“He knows the door is always open,” he said.
Picayune baseball coach
Nichelson’s elevation to head baseball coach follows a seven-year stint as an assistant on the Picayune staff, and he’s confident that he’s well prepared for the new job.
“With Cody being offensive coordinator the last 3-4 years, I’ve kind of handled most of the baseball duties during football season anyway,” Nichelson said. “Coach Stogner laid down a great foundation and we’ll keep going as is. I’ll add some things where they need to be added. We’ve got a great group of guys. This is a good first year to take over. I’m excited to get going.”
Nichelson, 28, was first hired under previous Picayune head coach Cayne Stockstill.
The Maroon Tide baseball team is coming off a 17-11 season that included a trip to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.
This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 12:49 PM.
