The University of Mississippi Athletics
11/6/2026 | Athletics
OXFORD, Miss. – After helping fuel the upward trajectory of Ole Miss Athletics over the last three years, Dr. Eric A. Wood is taking on the elevated role of Senior Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Operating Officer, it was announced Friday by Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter.
"Eric has consistently demonstrated the leadership, vision and ability to help move Ole Miss Athletics forward," Carter said. "Since joining our department, he has made a tremendous impact through his experience, strategic approach and commitment to excellence. This new role reflects the trust and confidence we have in his leadership. Eric understands what it takes to build a championship-caliber athletics program, and we are fortunate to have him on our team."
"I am incredibly grateful to Keith for his confidence and trust in me and for the opportunity to expand my role at Ole Miss," Wood said. "It is an exciting time for our department, and I am proud of the work our team continues to do to support our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Ole Miss has tremendous momentum and a special group of people who are committed to competing for championships and providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes. I will remain arm in arm with our leadership team and the entire Ole Miss family as we continue to position this department for sustained success."
Since arriving in Oxford in January 2024, Wood has played an integral role in Ole Miss' success on and off the field. While serving as sport administrator for the football program, the Rebels have posted a 29-7 record and advanced to their first CFP semifinals. Following the 2025 regular season, Wood oversaw the program's transition to new head coach Pete Golding, who has guided Ole Miss to the No. 10 spot in the latest playoff rankings in his first full campaign at the helm.
Wood continues to lead the department's external operation, which has been lauded nationally for its remarkable gameday experience. In addition, Ole Miss has invested in a number of exciting partnerships during Wood's tenure, including Fanatics as its new ecommerce partner, Learfield extending its multimedia rights agreement and adidas as its footwear, uniform, apparel and sideline partner beginning July 1, 2027. He is also helping drive planning for an innovative P3 project surrounding Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Wood arrived in Oxford after more than three successful seasons as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech. His 27-year career in collegiate athletics also includes stops at UCF, Arkansas, the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest, New Haven, the NCAA and Clemson.
Under Wood's guidance, LA Tech was the only Division I school in the country to have won a conference regular-season title in baseball, softball, men's basketball and women's basketball within the two-year span of 2021-22. The Bulldog and Lady Techster basketball teams also made it to the Conference USA Championship game in 2022, marking just the eighth time in C-USA history a school has had both programs advance to the finals, while the baseball squad captured the league's tournament crown that season.
At the start of his second year in Ruston, Wood hired Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie to lead the Tech football program. Cumbie continues to guide the Bulldogs, who have made consecutive bowl appearances and currently sit atop the Sun Belt standings.
During Wood's tenure, Louisiana Tech achieved significant success both academically and financially, highlighted by a 987 single-year APR average, 981 multi-year APR average, and eight programs earning perfect 1,000 APR scores. His leadership also generated nearly $20 million in athletics donations, including the launch of the Aillet Society, which secured 60 founding members in its inaugural year with a median gift of $50,000.
A Bronx, New York, native, Wood boasts a decorated track record and has held a variety of leadership roles in organizations serving the college athletics industry. Most recently, he was appointed to the Division I NCAA Football Oversight Committee and to the Division I Council as well as being named Chair of the Football Success Committee.
Wood is a 1998 graduate of Sacred Heart University, earning his degree in Psychology. He was a three-year starter at cornerback for the Pioneer football team with one outdoor season as a member of the track and field team.
Wood earned a Medal of Merit, the athletic department's highest honor, as the Student-Athlete of the Year his senior year at Sacred Heart. He completed his master's degree in counseling and guidance services at Clemson University in May 2000 and his Doctorate of Education in Sports Management at the University of Arkansas in 2016.
Wood and his wife Celia have four children – Eliana, Nia, Alyssa, and Elijah.
"Eric has consistently demonstrated the leadership, vision and ability to help move Ole Miss Athletics forward," Carter said. "Since joining our department, he has made a tremendous impact through his experience, strategic approach and commitment to excellence. This new role reflects the trust and confidence we have in his leadership. Eric understands what it takes to build a championship-caliber athletics program, and we are fortunate to have him on our team."
"I am incredibly grateful to Keith for his confidence and trust in me and for the opportunity to expand my role at Ole Miss," Wood said. "It is an exciting time for our department, and I am proud of the work our team continues to do to support our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Ole Miss has tremendous momentum and a special group of people who are committed to competing for championships and providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes. I will remain arm in arm with our leadership team and the entire Ole Miss family as we continue to position this department for sustained success."
Since arriving in Oxford in January 2024, Wood has played an integral role in Ole Miss' success on and off the field. While serving as sport administrator for the football program, the Rebels have posted a 29-7 record and advanced to their first CFP semifinals. Following the 2025 regular season, Wood oversaw the program's transition to new head coach Pete Golding, who has guided Ole Miss to the No. 10 spot in the latest playoff rankings in his first full campaign at the helm.
Wood continues to lead the department's external operation, which has been lauded nationally for its remarkable gameday experience. In addition, Ole Miss has invested in a number of exciting partnerships during Wood's tenure, including Fanatics as its new ecommerce partner, Learfield extending its multimedia rights agreement and adidas as its footwear, uniform, apparel and sideline partner beginning July 1, 2027. He is also helping drive planning for an innovative P3 project surrounding Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Wood arrived in Oxford after more than three successful seasons as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech. His 27-year career in collegiate athletics also includes stops at UCF, Arkansas, the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest, New Haven, the NCAA and Clemson.
Under Wood's guidance, LA Tech was the only Division I school in the country to have won a conference regular-season title in baseball, softball, men's basketball and women's basketball within the two-year span of 2021-22. The Bulldog and Lady Techster basketball teams also made it to the Conference USA Championship game in 2022, marking just the eighth time in C-USA history a school has had both programs advance to the finals, while the baseball squad captured the league's tournament crown that season.
At the start of his second year in Ruston, Wood hired Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie to lead the Tech football program. Cumbie continues to guide the Bulldogs, who have made consecutive bowl appearances and currently sit atop the Sun Belt standings.
During Wood's tenure, Louisiana Tech achieved significant success both academically and financially, highlighted by a 987 single-year APR average, 981 multi-year APR average, and eight programs earning perfect 1,000 APR scores. His leadership also generated nearly $20 million in athletics donations, including the launch of the Aillet Society, which secured 60 founding members in its inaugural year with a median gift of $50,000.
A Bronx, New York, native, Wood boasts a decorated track record and has held a variety of leadership roles in organizations serving the college athletics industry. Most recently, he was appointed to the Division I NCAA Football Oversight Committee and to the Division I Council as well as being named Chair of the Football Success Committee.
Wood is a 1998 graduate of Sacred Heart University, earning his degree in Psychology. He was a three-year starter at cornerback for the Pioneer football team with one outdoor season as a member of the track and field team.
Wood earned a Medal of Merit, the athletic department's highest honor, as the Student-Athlete of the Year his senior year at Sacred Heart. He completed his master's degree in counseling and guidance services at Clemson University in May 2000 and his Doctorate of Education in Sports Management at the University of Arkansas in 2016.
Wood and his wife Celia have four children – Eliana, Nia, Alyssa, and Elijah.
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