Team strength is the recipe for success. That's why newly-hiredAmite County head football coach Elbert Lyles plans to put a freshcoat of paint on the Trojans weight room.
"I'm going to try and get more of an emphasis onthe weight program. That's the one thing I'm going tofocus on," said Lyles soon after being approved by the AmiteCounty School Board to succeed Charles Jackson as head footballcoach. "That's kind of like the foundation, I believe.I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Lyles, 43 years old, served as Amite County's defensivecoordinator this past season when the Trojans finished 3-6 overall.Lyles is also Amite County's head powerlifting coach.
Prior to last season, Lyles served three seasons as head footballcoach at Natchez High. Beginning in 1990, Lyles was head coachat Wilkinson County where his overall record was 27-34-1. WilkinsonCounty made the playoffs three times. Wilkinson County'sbest season under Lyles was 1995 when the Wildcats went 8-4 andmade it to the second round of the 3A playoffs.
Before Lyles took over the Wilkinson program as head coach,he also served two seasons as defensive coordinator. Lyles alsoheaded up the power lifting program as well.
"We expect good things out of Coach (Lyles)," saidAmite County athletic director David Dixon. "He had a goodprogram at Wilkinson County. I'm tickled to death to gethim. He's got some hard shoes to fill, but I think he cando it."
Lyles said his basic strategy will depend on available personnel.The Trojans operated out of a veer offense this past season. Defensively,the Trojans ran a "40."
"We'll try and run a multiple offense and defenseand not any particular formation," Lyles said. "Butwe will do what the athletes we have allows."
Lyles said the search is on for an offensive coordinator. Jackson'scoaching staff this past season also included offensive line coachLidell White and defensive backs coach Tyrone Perry. Lyles hasyet to interview either White or Perry concerning employment.
Ten seniors dotted this past season's roster. Approximately20 are expected to return next season. Of those 20 players, approximately14 lettered.
"We're going to work hard," Lyles said. "Ifwe keep working hard, good things will happen. We'll do anythingwe can to try and get (students) to come out for football."
Jackson served three stints as head coach. He coached the 1990season before returning for two seasons starting in 1997. AfterJesse Terrell left as Amite County's coach after the 1999season for Wesson, Jackson returned for two seasons. Jackson'soverall record as head coach was 24-28. His best season was 1998when the Trojans went 9-2 and made it to the second round of theplayoffs.
Jackson said his duties as head football coach, high schoolassistant principal and full-time minister were too much to handle.
"I told (Lyles) what my plans were when I hired him,"Jackson said. "He's a good Christian man and relateswell to the players. I think he'll do a good job."
