NATCHEZ &8212; He will be missed in the classroom and on the sidelines, at least that is what

several local coaches have to say about Cathedral head football coach Ken Beesley&8217;s retirement annoucement.

Beesley announced his retirement last week, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Adams County Christian School head football coach Bobby Marks coached with Beesley at Cathedral in 1977. He said Beesley played a big part in guiding the Green Wave to their only undefeated regular season that year.

&8220;He took over the defense that year and did an outstanding job,&8221; Marks said.

After a flawless regular season, Marks said Beesley&8217;s defense shut out Clarkdale to win the first ever River City Bowl.

Marks said Beesley was also an excellent teacher, in both math and life. He said besides teaching math in the classroom, he showed students how to live after high school.

&8220;I hate to see him retire this early,&8221; Marks said. &8220;I can&8217;t say enough about him as a person or a friend.&8221;

Trinity head football coach David King said the two things that come to his mind when he thinks about Cathedral is a great, family loyal school and Ken Beesley.

&8220;Ken is a quiet, shy man that you don&8217;t see much, but you know he is either coaching or watching,&8221; King said.

King said he has known Beesley for many years, and said the two are a lot alike.

&8220;He is just like me. He coaches and then goes home to his family,&8221; King said.

He said Beesley&8217;s 40 years of coaching and teaching math at Cathedral are a testament to the coach&8217;s loyalty to Cathedral.

Vidalia head football coach Dee Faircloth said Beesley was one of the best.

&8220;Ken Beesley is one of the top coaches in Mississippi, as far as I am concerned, he said&8221;

Faircloth said Beesley&8217;s teams were always well prepared and always got after their opponents.

Faircloth, like Marks and King, said Beesley has done a great job in 40 years at Cathedral, both in the classroom and in the realm of athletics.

&8220;He is a class act all the way, and he will be missed in the coaching community,&8221; Faircloth said.