By TAYLOR DENMAN

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — A spokesperson with Natchez High School announced Friday the school has hired a new football coach for the 2016 season.

Principal Tony Fields confirmed the candidate approved at the school’s previous board meeting.

“It was a specially-called board meeting we had a couple weeks ago,” Fields said.

Field said he was impressed by the number of applicants that inquired about the coaching vacancy.

“We had about 25 applicants,” Fields said. “We narrowed that down to about 15 to take to the committee before we narrowed it down to the number the committee actually interviewed.”

The new coach replaces former interim coach Henry Garner. Garner took over for former head coach Melvin Pete in 2015. Fields said Garner decided he was not interested in the head coaching job full time.

“We really looked at somebody who could give us some longevity,” Fields said.

Fields said the school was looking to hire a coach that would fill a variety of roles at the school.

“We were looking for somebody who could not only help us on the football field, but could teach in the classroom,” Fields said. “Somebody who would be a visionary as far as what type of offense we would use.”

“We do have high expectations for this team,” Fields said. “We’re looking forward to having a number of players come back. Making it to the first round was a good learning experience for them.”

Fields said putting a head coach in place in February would provide the Natchez football team some stability when spring workouts begin.

“My hope is with the head coach they have in place there is no question we will have a good spring training,” Fields said.