MONTICELLO – Herbert Davis likes being a head football coach. An opportunity to boss a football program arose and Davis was hired to coach the Lawrence County Cougars.

Davis, 46, celebrated his birthday Jan. 1. Monday was his first day on the job. A special meeting of the Lawrence County School Board approved his hiring last Wednesday night. Davis met with the LCHS players Friday afternoon.

The Cougars started offseason work in the weight room on Monday. His son, Hayden, an eighth grade quarterback, is enrolled at LCHS.

He replaces Coach David Parker who was fired in November after less than seven months on the job. Parker’s first edition finished 1-10 overall and 0-5 in the Region 7-4A race.

Davis said his wife, Darla, an x-ray technician, and his daughter, Makenzie, would probably remain in Ocean Springs until they sold their house. Makenzie is a 16-year-old sophomore who is a member of the Ocean Spring cheerleader squad that is competing this week in Orlando, Fla., for a national championship sponsored by ESPN. Ocean Springs was ninth last year.

“I am excited by this opportunity,” said Coach Davis. “I will try to restore the winning tradition at Lawrence County. They are a tough, hard-nosed group of guys. We want to talk about championships, too.”

Lawrence County last won a state championship in 1999. The Cougars have been in the playoffs nearly every year since then.

“We want to get everybody working and going in the right direction,” Davis pointed out.

“I want to thank the board and superintendent Dr. Tammy Fairburn for their vote of confidence. I look forward to working with them.”

Davis served as offensive coordinator for two years under Ryan Ross at Ocean Springs. The Greyhounds finished 6-5 in 2012 and lost to state runner-up Brandon in the opening round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

“We are extremely lucky to find someone of Coach Herbert Davis’ caliber,” said LCHS athletic director Cory Keys. “He is a proven winner and has done a great job everywhere he has been.

“Not only is he a good football coach, he’s a strong Christian man with high moral standards. He will make our players better on and off the field.”

Davis, a Lincoln County native, graduated from Brookhaven Academy and played football at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He coached the BA Cougars to a state championship in 1993, in his first stint at the MAIS school. He also won a state championship there in 2009 when the team finished 14-0.

“I’ll be coaching against kin folk and home folks now,” said Davis. He is teaching physical education at LCHS.

Lawrence County kicks off its 2013 campaign Aug. 23, at Wesson.