By By Chandler Myers
Although his first day at Escambia County High School is next Monday that has not stopped newly named head coach Mark Heaton from making his way around the campus and the field house.
Heaton, who was named head coach last Wednesday in a special meeting called by the Escambia County Board of Education, has made trips to the campus Friday, Monday and Tuesday to make sure he gets a jump no his job.
In an interview at the Blue Devils’ field house Tuesday, Heaton said has been busy getting all of the formalities out of the way, so he can start working with his team immediately.
Once Blue Devils football players return from Spring Break, it will be back to business as usual as the prepare for spring training to kick off May 3.
To get things started, Heaton wants to see where his players fall in terms of strength and conditioning, so he will have them in the weight room.
Heaton said he wants to get an idea of where his players stand in terms of his strength and conditioning program, which he uses a computer program to keep up with progress.
Along with the strength and conditioning, the Blue Devils will be adjusting to how their new coach practices.
In Heaton’s practices, the action never slows down and the players are taught exactly how to carry out each play.
Heaton said he thinks his players will like his style of practice because it is so upbeat and he added he expects enthusiasm from not only his players, but his coaches as well.
Whether practices are different now than in the past will be for Blue Devils players to decide.
Heaton said that every coach is different, and added he hopes that his players come to appreciate the type of coach he is.
With spring training about to get underway, a May 14 trip to Robertsdale for a spring game looms ahead.
Heaton said he expects to have his team ready, and expects each player to be ready to win.