He can be seen in the halls and at most school events.
With 15 years in the classroom and another 15 years as an administrator, Doug Holland said he is experienced and excited about taking on the role of principal at Marshfield High School.

Senior Juan Caballero said he has seen the spirit Holland has brought to MHS.

“Holland’s attendance to school events and enthusiasm towards his job has made a positive impact on Marshfield,” Caballero said.

Holland took over the job as principal at MHS in August and has been working nearly non-stop to provide help and make improvements for both staff and students. Holland said he went straight to the teachers and then to the students of MHS to find out what they felt needed improving upon.

“I love a challenge, and along with family here, is why I chose to take the job,” Holland said.

Within the short time Holland has been here, he has implemented several changes. He has created a new tardy policy, which delivers serious consequences to students who are chronically late.

English teacher Kelly Haut said she favors the new policy.

“It creates accountability because in real life you miss out on opportunities if you are late,” Haut said.

Holland has also formed a school spirit movement called Pirate Pride that helps boost school spirit alongside the Associated Student Body.

“Mr. Holland’s support to all of the school events has made a big difference to me and many others,” Caballero said.

Another change Holland has made is adding some additional 2+2 classes such as Intro to Entrepreneurship. These courses allow students to receive high school credit from MHS as well as college credit through Southwestern Oregon Community College simultaneously.

Senior Brogan Bracelin said he takes advantage of the college courses and fits as many 2+2 classes as he can into his schedule.

“Getting into college is hard, so it’s nice that the school is giving us as good of a chance as possible of getting into college,” Bracelin said.

Marshfield is not new to Holland; his wife, Janet Stamper, grew up in the Bay Area and was inducted into the Marshfield Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in swimming while a Pirate. Holland and Stamper both participated in school sports, and their athleticism carried on into triathlons, which is where they first met. Holland has been coming to the Bay Area with Stamper ever since.

“A lot of people think I just put my finger on a map and picked here, but I have been coming here for the last 25 years, and I really love the city and the people,” Holland said.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Holland later moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, when he was four years old.

Holland attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, and later pursued a career in education and administration. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Arizona State, and later he finished his master’s and doctoral degrees at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

Holland’s first job was at Coronado High School while he was still attending NAU. Since then, Holland has worked in three different school districts. Along with education and administration, Holland has also been an avid coach for many sports such as football, cross country, and track and field at the high school and collegiate level. Holland said he was very successful coaching in the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA).

“In 2004, we finished 4th nationally in the NJCAA and won the Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl that was televised nationally,” Holland said.

From a coach to an educator, Holland brings many useful skills that have and will continue to help MHS thrive, according to Spanish teacher Mark Lorincz.

“I think his experiences, professionally and personally, in education are greatly contributing to our school,” Lorincz said.