JONESVILLE, La. &045; You might say Scott Green had a leg up on getting the head football coaching job at Block.

You see, he knew before just about anyone that it would be coming open. Green has been friends with former Block coach Chad Harkins, now head coach at Huntington, for about 15 years and talked to Harkins about his leaving Block.

Shortly after Harkins left in June to take the position at Huntington, Green let school officials know he was interested in the job.

&uot;I knew he was leaving before anyone, so a few days after it happened I called up and let them know I wanted the job,&uot; Green said.

Green had been coaching at Menard, a 3A Catholic school in Alexandria, prior to accepting the Block job. Green said there were two major reasons.

&uot;First, I know a lot of the people over there, and I even met some of Chad’s kids there,&uot; Green said. &uot;Second, they’re playing 1A football, but they have so much talent. For a school that size to have that many athletes &045; it’s hard to turn down.&uot;

Harkins said Green is entering into a great position at Block.

&uot;He walked into a gold mine there,&uot; Harkins said. &uot;With all the work we’ve done there and the talent he has, he should be in good shape.&uot;

Members of the Block community said it was important to have someone familiar with the program and who would be able to step in smoothly.

&uot;We knew him already and he was who the kids wanted too,&uot; Mark Taylor, president of Block’s booster club, said. &uot;That’s important since Chad kind of left in a hurry, it’s good to have someone they’re comfortable with.&uot;

The connection to Harkins probably also helped Green. Green was an assistant coach at Winnfield (La.) High when Harkins played there, and the two have been good friends ever since.

Green said school officials and booster club members wanted a coach that would continue to use the unusual double wing offense Harkins had put in place. Green said he may throw the ball a little more, but will keep the offense intact and run a similar 4-3 set defense.

&uot;They wanted someone who would stick with the double wing formation,&uot; Green said. &uot;I’ve spent time with Chad and talked about that, so I know quite a bit about it. But honestly, these kids will probably teach me more about it than I will them.&uot;

Taylor said he liked Green and felt that he would do a good job with the program.

&uot;Of the candidates we looked at, he was easily the best,&uot; Taylor said. &uot;I think they’ll be fine.&uot;

Green, who lives in Georgetown, La., said the drive to Jonesville is about 40 minutes, almost exactly what his drive to Alexandria was.