Mac Newcomb is the answer to a trivia question. Newcomb is the last player to wear the number 18 at the University of Mississippi, a number that passed into legendary status when worn by Ole Miss folk hero Archie Manning. The number was retired shortly after Newcomb left Oxford for his new home in Monticello.
Newcomb was recruited out of Parklane Academy in McComb, Miss., by Louisiana Tech Coach Billy Brewer. When Brewer took the Ole Miss job in 1983, he offered Newcomb the chance to play for the Rebels. “It was a chance to play in the SEC so I jumped at it,” Newcomb remembers.
After toiling in the background as a back-up wide receiver his freshman year and hungry for playing time, Newcomb decided to transfer. “My dad and I had heard about some good NAIA programs in Arkansas so we drove over to look around,” he says. “I really liked the coaches at UAM and decided that was where I needed to be.” Newcomb was eligible for the 1986 season and quickly became one of the most versatile players in school history.
As a sophomore, Newcomb played both ways as a wide receiver and safety, catching 8 passes for 137 yards and grabbing a team-leading six interceptions. Moved strictly to defense in 1987, Newcomb again led the Weevils with five interceptions but the best was yet to come.
As a hard-hitting senior free safety in 1988, Newcomb led a devastating defense that held opponents to less than 13 points a game in a 10-2 season, the only 10-win season in school history. Newcomb patrolled the back end of arguably the best defensive secondary in school history. Teaming with strong safety Craig Jones and cornerbacks Jerry Johnson and Gvona Turner, the foursome intercepted 20 passes with Newcomb claiming four picks.
Following a UAM victory over Washburn University in the first round of the 1988 NAIA playoffs, one Washburn assistant coach had seen enough of Newcomb. “That safety was the best player we’ve seen all year,” muttered the coach.
Newcomb finished his UAM career with 15 interceptions and was both an honorable mention NAIA All-American and a first team All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference pick.
After spending several years in real estate, Newcomb is back in football as the defensive coordinator and head baseball coach at Wilkinson County Christian Academy in Woodville, Miss. “Being named to the Hall of Fame is an honor and a privilege,” he says, “but really it was all of us — Craig, Jerry, Gvona and the rest of those guys that made it so special.”
