By By Chandler Myers
Monday, April 19 begins a new era for Escambia County Blue Devils football with the official first day of new head coach Mark Heaton.
Heaton is already doing the best he can to start off on the right foot and make sure his program and the school it represents are a success.
He was at the school first thing Friday morning to meet the administration and faculty that he will be working with once everyone returns from Spring Break.
Heaton also had the chance to speak with a few of his players during the day, but was unable to meet with the majority due to the National Honor Society induction that was going on.
By showing up at the school meeting the people that he met, Heaton is showing that he is taking his job seriously and wants everything done right.
Once Spring Break ends, he will finally get the chance to address the Blue Devils players that will make up the roster for the 2010 season.
According to the interview conducted with the new coach, he is ready to bond and get off to a good start with his players.
He referred to himself as a “player’s coach,” which is a widely used approach that has helped a lot of successful coaches get in touch with their players on and off the football field.
Hopefully, once practices get going and eventually games follow, the community in Atmore will support Heaton and give him the chance that he deserves.
He seems to have his head and his heart in the right place, so here’s to wishing him good luck in his career at ECHS.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com