A new King era begins Friday night

Southern Sports & Travel

Lots of coaches at the high school level hope to one day return to their alma mater to coach and many ultimately do but with new Adams Christian head football coach David King that moved only consisted of a few miles. King, a 1987 Adams Christian graduate, confirmed talk that was swirling around the MAIS last spring that he was leaving Trinity by taking over as the head football coach at ACCS but also as headmaster this past June.

King’s move immediately changed the landscape of MAIS football in the Natchez area. That move gave Adams Christian instant credibility and a sign to their supporters and the MAIS that they were serious with regards to investing in their athletic program. With King came a pedigree consisting of four state championships and a 140-41 record over 14 seasons at across town Trinity Episcopal, but perhaps the biggest thing that came with King was defensive coordinator Richey Spears who is one of the premier defensive coaches in the entire MAIS.

While Adams Christian had secured instant stability the same did not apply to Trinity as turmoil seemed to swirl during the summer. Trinity Headmaster Brandt Dick wasted little time in announcing that Ryan Porter had accepted the position as new head football coach last February but Porter suddenly resigned in June leaving the football program in limbo less than three months before the start of the 2012 season. Josh Loy was announced as Porter’s replacement less than two weeks later. Loy is very familiar with the Trinity football program and had worked under King.

At ACCS King is charged with instilling confidence and a work ethic that made him so successful at Trinity but also turning around a stale offense that struggled to put points on the scoreboard during a 2-9 season last year.  Adams had a solid showing at the Copiah Jamboree but not only on the playing field, the sideline consisted of 41 players, a welcomed sight for Rebel fans.

The David King era at Adams Christian begins on Friday night as the Rebels make the short trek to Cathedral High to open up the 2012 MAIS football season. When the two squads kickoff King will look across the field and see a familiar face and another King coaching disciple, Ron Rushing, who coached at Trinity. Rushing led Cathedral to a 12-2 record last season and was one game from playing for a MHSAA Class 1-A state championship.

King said the transition from Trinity to Adams had been difficult emotionally but otherwise smooth and in typical David King fashion he had nothing but complimentary things to say about everyone involved.

The one burning question I had for King was surrounding the week six game on the Adams Christian schedule. On September 21 the Rebels and their new head coach will make the five minute drive to Trinity Episcopal and as King stated, “The emotions will run high.” For the first time in his head coaching career King will coach on the field affectionately known by Trinity folks as “the pit” but after all the emotions and reflection during pregame warm-ups the whistle will blow to signal the opening kickoff and it’s war, David King style.  

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Adams Christian Head Coach David King