Mark King wants to get Magnolia football back to being one of the most feared programs in the state.
“I can remember when coaches talked about playing Magnolia: they knew they would be in for a tough battle. Wins and losses will take care of themselves, but I want to help restore this program back to what it should be,” said the first-year Panther head coach.
“Right now, I want guys who are going to be mentally and physically tough. I want my guys to learn how to compete and handle adversity. We are changing the culture around here a little bit at a time and I want the players to buy into it,” he added.
King came over from Foreman after leading the Gators to the Class 2A state title two seasons ago. He compiled a 31-7 record at the school and gave the Gators their first conference title in 30 years.
Magnolia was able to hire its new coach after the Christmas break and King wasted no time in getting to know athletes, preparing for offseason workouts and spring practice.
“Things have been going pretty good and now we have to get the kids to buy into the idea of winning. The players have been focus and wanting to learn, but there was a lot for them to pick up,” said the coach. King will utilize a flexbone-style offense that that the Panthers have used in recent years, but added an entire new defensive scheme was put in place.
“Time has been moving fast, especially since we started fall practice a few weeks ago. The first game comes up pretty quick with us taking on Warren in the Hooten’s Football Classic at SAU. But our players’ attitudes have been great and they have been giving the effort during practice. We now have to take that to the game field,” explained the coach.
With only about 45 players on the squad, King said the numbers are not there as they were in the past. He indicated some athletes will play both offense and defense, but again stressed how pleased he was with the overall attitude of the team.
“These guys have had to learn a lot of different stuff on the fly. We feel good right now,” he said.
The Panthers squared off against the Mena Bearcats in an Arkansas Activities Association scrimmage game at Panther Stadium on Tuesday and will kick off the regular season on the SAU campus Tuesday, Aug. 27, against the Warren Lumberjacks.
Kickoff between Magnolia and Warren at Wilkins Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m., followed by a second game between Class 3A state title contenders Rison and Prescott.
Personally, King said he excited about starting his first season at Magnolia.
“I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it. I wanted this Magnolia job for quite awhile. I know the history of Magnolia and usually coaches who are fortunate to get this job are here for a long time. Some reasons people stay at a school for a long period of time is because it’s a good place to come, it has good kids and a couple of more reasons,” added King. “I admired this job for some time and excited about having it.”
The coach said he’s faced challenges everywhere he’s been and it’s no difference at Magnolia.
Magnolia has been on the verge of breaking through with a year here and there. I want to be here when the Panthers break through. I want people to fear Magnolia football again,” said the coach. “This is what drives me.”