VIDALIA — Michael Norris said he has dreamed about being the head coach of a high school football team in the Miss-Lou.

Norris said his dream came true on Monday when Vidalia High School named him as the new head football coach.

Norris has coached football for 17 but never as a head coach.

“For a long time, I wanted to be a head football coach,” Norris said. “I wanted it to happen here but last year we thought it was going to be longer when Dee Faircloth was here. Then, when Rob Faircloth was not going to apply again to be the new head coach, I thought ‘maybe this is the time.’ This was where I wanted to be and they gave me the job. Now, we’re going to get that culture put in and see how we do.”

The bulk of Norris’ coaching career came in Utah where he spent 11 years coaching football. Norris coached at Spanish Fork High. Norris said he coached under Jim Nelson, a winningest coach in Utah history and won eight state championships.

Norris is not new to the Vidalia Vikings football program. Last season, he was the Vikings quarterback coach.

“I came back home to Mississippi from Utah because I wanted to be a coach down here and be able to have a program down here in the Miss-Lou, where I grew up,” Norris said. “I especially wanted to coach where Dee Faircloth was a coach for so long.”

Norris takes over as the new head coach after Rob Faircloth decided not apply for the job after interim head coach last season. Norris will continue to be the head baseball coach for the Vikings. Norris said Rob Faircloth is still going to be involved with the Vikings football program for the upcoming football season. Norris said he told the Vikings about his goals for the season.

“We’re going to look at the staff and let the kids know what our expectations are for the season,” Norris said. “We’re going to try and get our kids involved in the community and get the community on board with our program. We want to create a community where our kids and school can be proud of.”

Last season, the Vikings finished with 3-8 overall record and 2-4 in the Class 2A-District 2. Vidalia is in the same district as the Ferriday High School Trojans, the Class 2A state champions.

“We’re going to set the bar to be able to compete with them,” Norris said. “I have been in programs that have been in the state championship game. Now it’s my time to see if I’m correct and know what I’m talking about.”