Dexter Wood was hired as head football coach and PE teacher at Buford High School in February 1995. He arrived after building a successful program at Marietta High School, a move he admitted was not easy.

“It was a difficult decision for me at that time to leave there,” Wood said. “My reasons were both personal and professional in coming to Buford. It was best for my family, as I knew the Buford schools and the Buford community would be great for my daughter and son.”

His daughter, Rachel, graduated from BHS in 1997. His son, Ryan, and future daughter-in-law, Erin, followed in 2004.

“It was very much a prayerful decision to come to Buford,” Wood said. “I felt God was leading me to Buford and that my family would be blessed, and that He would refine and use my leadership and coaching in the schools and community to make a difference. All glory goes to Him for the incredible journey my family and I have enjoyed in Buford, our home, for over 30 years.”

Building the foundation

Wood believed Buford football held tremendous potential when he accepted the job. The Wolves already had a proud tradition, including a 1978 state championship, and Buford’s city and school leaders made it clear they envisioned even greater success.

“A key factor in my accepting the head football position at BHS was that the City and school leaders strongly communicated a vision of greatness for Buford Football and athletics,” Wood said. “I felt there was an uncommon devotion of our City of Buford to its school system and athletic program, and wow, did that ever prove to be true.”

His priority was building a staff. 

“I had always strived to surround myself with great people, people better than me,” Wood said. “As a leader, your people decisions are always your most important ones.”

He was joined by assistant coaches Jess Simpson, David Watkins, Tony Wolfe, Christian Hunnicutt and David Snell. Later, leaders such as Bryant Appling, Sean Gilbert and Bryan Rogers further strengthened the program.

When Wood retired, Simpson took over and elevated Buford football even higher. Today, Appling continues the tradition, carrying on the legacy Wood helped establish three decades ago.

Early challenges and breakthroughs

In 1995, Buford High was a Class A school with only 350 students. The biggest challenge, Wood recalled, was participation.

“We only had 14 or 15 players participate in spring football practice,” Wood said. “During the summer, we averaged only 13 players attending our three-day-a-week workouts.”

By late August, the Wolves had managed to field a 24-player varsity squad of grades 9 through 12. 

“We had no JV team or freshman team,” Wood said. “I was very discouraged at times that first summer with our participation numbers and our lack of commitment to excellence.”

The turnaround came quickly. That fall, Buford opened with convincing wins over rivals Dacula and North Gwinnett and finished 13-2, advancing to the state semifinals with the most wins in program history at the time.

A culture of excellence

Wood emphasized that Buford’s rise was built on more than wins and losses.

“We didn’t talk about winning championships or season records,” he said. “We asked how our coaches, players and parents could be the best versions of ourselves. We focused on getting better every day, striving to improve in every game and in every practice, and growing as young men.”

Discipline, effort, poise and class became the program’s cornerstones. 

“We felt our winning edge as Buford Football was our togetherness — our trust, respect and love for each other,” Wood said. “For every practice and every game, our huddles were broken with the chant, ‘We are Family!’”

Turning the corner

By 1999, the program was on the cusp of a dynasty. That year, Buford upset perennial power Lincoln County and knocked out defending state champion Darlington in the playoffs. The Wolves finished 10-2, while the newly formed JV team went undefeated. Buford went on to play for the state championship in each of the next five seasons.

Since the start of the 2000 season, Buford has compiled a record of 336-29 — a 92% winning percentage — while capturing 13 state championships and five runner-up finishes. To compare, from 1942 to 1999, the Wolves posted a record of 341-230.

Buford is now considered both a state and national brand, a reputation further enhanced by the opening of Phillip Beard Stadium.

Championships that stand out

Wood cherishes each of the Wolves’ 14 football state championships but recalls several with special meaning.

“The 2001 team was special because it was only the second championship in school history, the first in 23 years, and it really got the tradition going,” he said. “The 2002 team won in its first year in Class AA and pulled off one of the biggest wins in history by beating two-time defending state champion Americus in the Georgia Dome semifinals.”

The 2003 championship was personal. 

“That one was special for me because my son, Ryan, was a senior,” Wood said. “I was very close to that group of seniors and their parents.” 

That team capped a remarkable three-year run by going 45-0 with three consecutive state titles.

Wood said he also takes pride in the championships won under his successors.

“The 2007 team was Jess Simpson’s first state championship, and the 2019 team was Bryant Appling’s first,” he said. “I was just as excited about their first championships as any of my own, and I remember them well.”

A lasting legacy

Looking back, Wood said the relationships built in Buford have shaped him just as much as the victories.

“I will eternally be grateful for being a leader and coach at Buford over these last 30 years,” he said. “I am a much better man because of the many Buford people I have done life with here and how they have poured into me. I’m so thankful that my children and grandchildren have been taught and cared for by the most amazing teachers and administrators anywhere. My greatest professional achievements and many of my best life satisfactions have all happened right here in Buford, all due to the ‘family’ culture we share.”

That “family” culture is one of the key reasons Buford honored Wood him by naming its field Dexter Wood Field at Phillip Beard Stadium.

“It is still like a dream going to Phillip Beard Stadium and seeing ‘Dexter Wood Field,’” Wood said. “My name is on that turf, but it represents the great ‘team’ I have had around me: the players and coaches, city and school leaders, parents and fans. My name is on that field because of their contributions and support, and I am so humbled and thankful to represent them.”

For many in Buford, the naming of the field was a recognition not just of Wood’s wins and championships, but of the culture he built, one of faith, family and togetherness that reshaped Buford Athletics.

While much of his legacy is tied to football, Wood is just as proud of the Wolves’ successes across all sports. Since 2000, Buford teams have competed in 102 state championship events, winning 63 titles and finishing as runners-up 39 times.