Doug Clanton got his first taste of Adams County Christian School two years ago when he coached the Brookhaven Cougars in a game versus the Rebels.

&uot;They beat the wanky out of us,&uot; he said. &uot;I knew then that they had some good athletes.&uot;

That first impression must have been a good one. ACCS headmaster Rufus Carlock announced Clanton as the new head football coach Monday, replacing six-year coach Bo Swilley.

&uot;When I checked out his references, everyone told me he was a good coach and a wonderful person,&uot; Carlock said. &uot;He’s the type of coach who’s dedicated to his job. He’ll go beyond the basic responsibilities that go with the job.

&uot;But what really impressed me is how completely committed he is to the students, both on and off the field,&uot; Carlock said. &uot;He’s the type coach who can mold minds and help students develop character.&uot;

Natchez-Adams District director of student activities Dr. Wayne Barnett, who graduated from Franklin County High School with Clanton in 1964 and later roomed with him at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, can vouch for Clanton’s character.

&uot;He was an all-American boy,&uot; Barnett said. &uot;By that I mean that looking back from my perspective as a principal, he was a good kid. I guess we were all good kids.&uot;

Carlock was also impressed with Clanton’s resume. The Franklin County native has coached for 32 years, and has experience in football, baseball, softball and track. After a six-year stint at Bogue Chitto High School, Clanton coached at Murrah for 24 years. He spent the last two with Brookhaven before hearing of the vacancy at ACCS.

&uot;I have a coach here, Ron Rushing, who attended AC, and he’s been telling me about some of the kids they’ve got there,&uot; Clanton said. Clanton also has family in Natchez and considers the move to AC &uot;a step up,&uot; he said.

As of now, Carlock said Clanton will only coach football. Clanton will meet with Carlock Thursday in Natchez to iron out details such as assistant coaches and a target starting date. Clanton said he is eager to begin work with the team, especially with a new field house in the works. But it shouldn’t take the players long to adapt to his simple coaching philosophy.

&uot;You win with defense,&uot; he said. &uot;Offense is for show, defense is for dough. Your best players should always be on defense.&uot;

Football has been a part of Clanton’s life since he began playing in eighth grade. As a lineman in high school, he began to show promise as a coach, Barnett said.

&uot;He had a leadership quality, even back then. Kids looked up to him,&uot; Barnett said. &uot;Of course, as big as he was, they didn’t have much of a choice.&uot;

Swilley resigned in November to devote more time to the pharmacy he owns with his wife. The Rebels made the playoffs last year despite an 0-5 start.

&uot;I think he’ll make AC a heck of a coach,&uot; Barnett said of Clanton. &uot;He’ll be a real asset to the community.&uot;

Clanton is married to Carol Clanton, who will continue to teach at Brookhaven. The couple has two grown sons.