The other day I sat down with the new head coaching staff at North Panola with principal Jamone Edwards as its head and athletic director Crystal Stewart.

It was a group of people who have become comfortable with each other over the past months and years. That includes new head football coach Derek King.

At first I felt they were a little nervous with this powerful sports editor in their midst but when I cheered about the football team going to the Mississippi State camp—kind of broke the tension in the room.

I am not sure what kind of vibes were put out, but my intention was not to make anyone uncomfortable or afraid to speak to me.

Knowing that it had to be uncomfortable for Edwards to say there was another coaching change in the football program, this is the third new head coach in three years. It’s the eighth coach since 2001. That was why I asked about the stability and security of the children in the football program. I need to be reassured myself. Edwards did a good job of reassuring the community that this particular head coaching staff is concerned not only about the present but the students’ futures as well.

When Edwards was a basketball player at South Panola, he represented himself as a young man playing as hard as possible and making a difference.

He helped that team get to the state tournament despite a lot of things. The team was not as tall as other teams, there was no history of “good” basketball teams, etc.

But a coach who knew what he was about on the court took a group of young men and changed their thinking, upped their skills and turned them into winners.

I see the same “coaching” attributes in Edwards as he has taken a group of people under his wings and is turning them and the school into winners.

That is why I do not doubt his choices for coaches—believing for once everybody is on the same page up there (or they better be).

I feel upbeat about the coaching situation at North Panola though although other coaches will be missed. I have had to “break in” so many coaches at the three schools here. Some took a while so I do not really care to see the results of my frustrations leave after having to work so hard to get them to see we are not the paparazzi.

My colleagues feel the same.

North Delta is going through changes with Phil Douglas taking the reigns of both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams while Harrison Nickle will head coach the boys and girls junior high teams.

Douglas said he is giving up the athletic director’s position. No word yet on who his replacement will be.

Brandon Ciaramitaro is getting ready to take the North Delta football team through spring practice which starts April 30 in his first stint as head coach.

I wish all the head coaches the best in the upcoming seasons.