Hoggatt leads Mustangs to state crown

A former Marshall Academy coach has his first state championship.

David Hoggatt, who coached girls soccer at MA from 2017-2020, led his Center Hill boys team to a Class 6A crown Saturday, Feb. 21. They knocked off George County in a nail-biter, 1-0.

“The championship win falls on the backs of so many more people than just the 22 that were out there for that game,” Hoggatt said.

He said his Marshall Academy Lady Patriots gave him everything they had those three seasons and allowed him to learn and grow.

“They gave me the confidence that my idea of relentless effort was the theme I wanted to base my programs off of,” Hoggatt said, “and they helped to start laying the foundation of what I continue to do today.”

His Center Hill Mustangs have been oh so close to a state championship the last few years, and this season they got over the hump to set off a huge, hard-earned celebration. They lost in state title contests in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

“After reflecting on what this program has accomplished, the state championship win was a program effort,” Hoggatt said. “All the players who came before played a key role in building the standards that our program at Center Hill is built on.

“I thank those alumni for their effort and dedication to `The Hill.’ The current team never wavered through the defeats. In the hard times they continued to grow, work, compete, and give relentless effort to achieving our goal and now they will be forever champions.”

Hoggatt is married to the former Traci Rodgers, who grew up in the Slayden community of Marshall County and was a standout basketball player at MA. She is the head coach of the Center Hill girls basketball team. They have two children, Kyden and Wren.

“My wife has been my biggest supporter, fan and advocate throughout the years,” he said. “She was the one who pushed me to transition from coaching basketball to soccer. She has been there to always pick me up. She is and will always be my rock.”