Tripp McCarty knows a good situation when he sees one.Opportunity knocked and McCarty embraced the chance to coachfootball at Brookhaven Academy.

McCarty, 34, was introduced at Monday night’s Brookhaven Academyathletic banquet by BA headmaster Mike Sumlin.

“We wanted to hire the best coach possible,” said Sumlin. “We had40 candidates and our search committee reduced that number tofour.”

McCarty replaces Herbert Davis who coached at BA for three years,guiding the Cougars to the MAIS Class AA state championship in 2009and a perfect 15-0 record. Davis compiled a 3-year record of 35-6,winning three straight district championships. His Cougars finished12-2 this season, losing in the state semifinals to River Oaks(La.), the eventual state champion.

Davis, 44, accepted the position of offensive coordinator at Class6A Ocean Springs three weeks ago. He will serve on the staff ofRyan Ross, a lifelong friend from Lincoln County.

McCarty is a native of Camden, Miss. He went to Canton Academy andgraduated in 1995. He later played quarterback and receiver atMississippi College.

He majored in English at MC. His wife, the former Jill Blaski ofHeidelberg, is working on her doctorate in English.

After 14 years as an assistant coach, McCarty said it was time forhim to direct his own program. The coaching vacancy at BrookhavenAcademy was an answer to his prayers.

“One of the biggest things is the Lord laid this open for me,” saidMcCarty. “There was a great sense of community. That blew me away.The kids really play hard.”

McCarty began his coaching career at Canton Academy, working underFlip Godfrey for three years. He returned to MC for two years astight ends coach. He went back to Canton Academy and then spent oneyear as an assistant at Presbyterian Christian School. He has beenoffensive coordinator at Madison-Ridgeland Academy for the lastfour years. McCarty also coached MRA track four years.

McCarty is a certified instructor for the Quarterback Academy. Itis governed by National Football Academy.

“I’m certified to train quarterbacks and wide receivers,” saidMcCarty. “They fly me all around the country,” for quarterbackcamps.

MAIS All-State quarterback Chandler Rogers of Brookhaven Academytrained in one of those camps. Green Bay backup Mike Flynnparticipated in the Quarterback Academy.

McCarty said he is well acquainted with BA’s new defensivecoordinator, Johnny Ball. “I actually coached Johnny in college atMC. We are excited about having him on our staff.”

Asked about his offensive philosophy, McCarty said, “I’m definitelya multiple-set type guy. I believe in the running game.

“You can write it, down, we will probably throw it 80 times agame,” laughed McCarty. “Then we might run 50 times a game to keepthe other team guessing.”

McCarty said BA has some good athletes to work with. “We want tobuild on what coach Davis has done.”