By Matt Sigler

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — After 16 years and four state championships at Trinity Episcopal Day School, David King was ready for a change.

He found that at Adams County Christian School, but his role took a drastic turn.

“There aren’t too many headmaster/football coaches out there,” King said. “I was ready to try something else in my career. Throw in that ACCS is my alma mater, and it is even sweeter. I know I would not have done both of these jobs at any other school.”

So King became the busiest man in the halls of ACCS, but he still enjoys it all.

Sunday

King and his family walk out of First Baptist Church to grab a bite to eat, but King’s mind is already on football. He knows he is just a few minutes from preparing for Friday night.

“One of the biggest things that I’ve done in my career is I really like to get in there and watch film,” King said. “I enjoy that part of coaching.

Around 1 p.m., King begins to dive into the film, dissecting every aspect from the previous Friday night, while also taking a look at who he will be facing this week.

King said he does things differently from other coaches though, giving his assistants all day Saturday and most of Sunday, off.

“I like to get with my assistants on Sunday around 5 p.m. and we’ll go until about 7 p.m.,” King said. “Players will come in at 7 p.m. if they don’t go to night church. Night church trumps film.”

Even though the week is just beginning, King expects his staff and team to come into the film session prepared.

“I’m expecting all of these coaches to have gone home and watched the film,” he said. “We’ll get together and already know how bad we looked on something or have seen the tendencies of the other team. Those coaches should already have the game plan in their head.”

With a full week ahead, King said he usually heads to bed around 10 p.m.

“My kids think I’m an 80 year old man,” he said. “I’m an early bird. I get up about 5:30 a.m. every morning no matter what is going on.”

Monday

King walks into his office, fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead — Monday morning.

“My administrative team and I meet to talk about the week in the morning,” he said. “Then I answer some emails, make a phone call or two, then it becomes day-to-day operations.”

Those operations consist of King walking the halls of ACCS and poking his head in classrooms.

“I do it just to let teachers and kids know I’m walking around and observing,” he said.

As the afternoon rolls around, King begins to shift gears.

“My administrative team knows that around 2 p.m. I’m going to slip out and get my mind ready for football,” he said. “They are very good about that. This is a stressful job as headmaster and there is no question I need a few minutes before I get out there and get into the more stressful stuff.”

King spends that down time a little differently than most would think.

After taking a seat in his truck, King turns on his Sirius XM radio.

“I listen to classical music to get calm,” he said. “And then Howard Stern to get a laugh before I go to practice.”

The Rebels roll in and are scheduled for their usual Monday weightlifting session, which King has been doing his entire coaching career.

Afterward, the team hits the field in full pads and begins their first practice of the week.

“I’m not one of those long practice coaches,” King said. “I like to be organized and detailed, so we can just get out here and get things done.”