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For Daryl Davis, the decision to become the new varsity head football coach at Thorsby High School was an easy one.

Davis was officially introduced during a parent meeting on Tuesday night.

The connections to Thorsby are endless for Davis, who grew up and went to school there and has been a member of the faculty for the past 15 years.

“I’m a Thorsby guy,” Davis said. “We’ve got a great school, administration and community. That support is the main reason I took the job.

He is also the golf coach at Thorsby and has spent the past few years in charge of the junior high football team.

“Being from here, I want what’s best for everyone involved,” Davis said. “As a small town, you rally around sports. That’s just what you do.”

Davis has coached both sides of the ball over the years. He plans to handle the offense during his first season as head coach.

According to Davis, he believes that the fact that he has coached with a mindset toward both offense and defense, that it will help him adapt more easily to certain situations.

“As a head coach, it’s not just about wins and loses, but also about developing better young men that have discipline and work hard,” Davis said. “It’s a team effort.”

Something that Davis is excited about is the return of starting quarterback Christian Fortner, after another year of experience under his belt.

With so much youth at key spots on the team last year, the Rebels will remain fairly young entering the 2017 season.

The fact that Davis has been around the majority of those players, presents the opportunity for an easy transition.

“I’ve coached them in little league, junior high and now varsity. They know me and I know them.”

Building both physical and mental strength is what Davis believes are the keys to success on Friday nights in the fall.

“They’re working hard in the weight room and have done everything that I have asked them to do,” Davis said. “That’s where it all starts.”

According to Davis, 72 kids have currently signed up to play football next season.

Accountability is expected throughout the Thorsby athletic program, and Davis hopes to continue to instill that early on, especially with the younger players.

“Everybody on the team has their job to do, and it’s our job to make sure that they do it,” Davis said.

The Rebels will begin spring practice on May 1 and wrap up by hosting a spring game on May 12 at 6:30 p.m.