EDITOR’S NOTE: A story in Thursday’s paper incorrectly identified Natchez High football coach Roy Rigsby’s collegiate playing career. Rigsby played at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.

NATCHEZ — Natchez High School made it official — Roy Rigsby will be the Bulldogs’ head football coach in 2016.

Rigsby steps in to fill the role of 2015 interim coach Henry Garner. Rigsby was formerly the defensive line coach for Natchez High. Before accepting the assistant coach position at Natchez in July 2015, he coached for three years at Bassfield High School and five years at Magee High School, his alma mater.

“A head coaching job has been on my radar for the past three or four years before I even came to Natchez,” Rigsby said. “It’s been kind of a tedious process, but it all worked out for the good, and I’m excited about it.”

Rigsby has coaching experience on both sides of the ball as a coordinator and brings college football playing experience from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Alcorn State as a defensive back.

Rigsby said the strength he brings offensively and defensively is his knowledge of schematics. Rigsby is Natchez’s third head coach in as many seasons, and he said there would be some more turnover regarding the offensive scheme.

“There will be some changes offensively to say the least, but we don’t want to change everything,” he said. “We want to find out what we’re more effective with and focus in on that.”

Rigsby and NHS principal Tony Fields said the coaching staff is fluid. Rigsby said he will give the current staff opportunities to explore options before deciding whether to stay on at Natchez.

“Every year in coaching there may be opportunities for other coaches,” Rigsby said. “I don’t want to sell them short, so I’m going to give coaches the opportunity to remain here or go somewhere they feel might be better.”

Fields said he will give full reins to Rigsby regarding the solidification of his staff.

“It’s in our near future,” Fields said. “I’m going to empower coach to do his job and I expect it will be done.”

Rigsby said Natchez’s 4-7 record last season may not fully illustrate the positive steps Natchez has made as a football program. He credits Garner for nudging the team in the right direction.

Fields said in his talks with players revealed the team was primarily looking for stability. Before there can be stability, Rigsby said there will be some oversight.

“The school district hired me to be a head coach, and I’m going to be a head coach,” Rigsby said. “I’m going to be an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator and still expect them to do their jobs and put them in the best situation to do that. I’m not going to be overbearing, but I’ll be an overseer.”

Rigsby plans to make a formal introduction to his team next week, and the tentative start for spring camp is April 11. Rigsby’s one season in Natchez means he isn’t a complete stranger to the Bulldog football squad, and said last season gives him a better perspective of how to effectively coach the team.

To the fan, parent or members in the community who are just now getting to know Rigsby, he said he is outgoing, a natural leader and a faithful man.

“I’m a child of God and my faith lies in Christ,” he said. “The foundation of the way I operate has to do with principles from the scriptures. I’m a leader by nature. I’m out of the box sometimes and don’t do everything like everybody else does. I don’t apologize for being different, especially if different brings about a positive change.”