NATCHEZ — After starring for David King as a three-sport athlete at Trinity Episcopal Day School, Matthew Freeman has reunited with his former head coach, this time at Adams County Christian School.

Freeman was recently hired full-time as an assistant coach in football, basketball and baseball. He fills the position left open by former ACCS baseball coach Hunter McKeivier, who left ACCS in June to take a job at Richton High School. ACCS basketball coach Richy Spears will be the Rebels’ head baseball coach.

Freeman, who played for King’s 2006 state championship team at Trinity, said he was happy to be at ACCS and to coach under King.

“I grew up playing for him, and you couldn’t ask for a better coach to be under,” Freeman said. “Anything I do coaching-wise will always be pulled from examples of him.

“When he told me (about the opening), I was excited. I couldn’t ask for a better career opportunity.”

King said he was excited to have a spot for Freeman and that he expects the players to be able to relate to him,

“He was an outstanding athlete for me and a great young man,” King said. “I always knew he’d be successful, and we’re excited that he’ll be on staff. He brings a lot of energy, and he knows the commitment it takes to win and can keep the kids motivated.”

The chance to help groom a former player was a big reason he decided to bring Freeman on full-time, King said.

“I’ve always had some players help on an assistant basis, and to employ one full-time is a blessing,” King said. “I knew he’d be looking for a job and jumped at him.”

A December 2012 graduate of Ole Miss, Freeman helped coach the boys basketball and baseball teams during the 2012-13 school year. As a coach, he said he feels like he can bring a younger presence to the staff that will help keep the players at ease.

“I feel like the kids can relate to me,” Freeman said. “I don’t just coach them, but I lead by example. Most of them respond well to having younger people around.”

At Ole Miss, Freeman worked as a student assistant with the wide receivers on the Rebels’ football team. He’ll be doing the same this fall for ACCS. From what he’s seen so far, Freeman said he’s impressed with not just the receiving corps but the entire squad.

“We had a lot of talent on the teams I played on (at Trinity), but with this team, we have talent at every position,” Freeman said. “There’s not one position we don’t have some really good athletes at.”

Since Freeman played for King in high school, King said he would also be able to help teach the players what to expect out of King.

“We laugh about how much of a madman I was back then,” King joked. “I’ve since calmed down, but I still want to win. But whatever I put (my current players) through, it’s nothing (Freeman) hasn’t been through before.”