NATCHEZ — When Lance Reed arrived as Natchez High School’s head football coach in 2004, he was taking over a program that was flat on its back.

The Bulldogs were unquestionably one of the worst MHSAA Class 5A programs in the state, having posted a record of 2-31 from 2001-2003. However, Reed knew that with a little discipline and hard work, things could be turned around at his alma mater.

It took a few years, but the hard work paid off as the Bulldogs made the playoffs for the first time since 1997 and defeated Petal 25-21 in the first round.

For those reasons and more, Reed has been named The Natchez Democrat’s 2008 All-Metro Coach of the Year.

“That honor says a lot,” Reed said. “It’s not just me, but it’s a group effort at Natchez High School, the coaching staff and the parents. I don’t put it solely on myself; it takes other people to make it work. We win together and lose together.”

Reed played linebacker for the Bulldogs, and was named to The Democrat’s All-Metro Team in 1990 and was an assistant coach at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas, when he got the opportunity to come back home.

“It was a dream come true for me,” Reed said. “I always had it in my mind that if the opportunity presented itself to pursue a head coaching job, (Natchez) would be it.”

But when he arrived at Natchez High, he saw a program in disarray and in need of some discipline, so he went about instilling it.

“The first thing was, I wanted everything to be established the right way, on good principles,” Reed said. “We had an aspect of discipline and hard work being the cornerstone of what we were trying to start.”

Some of those players received the message well, and others didn’t.

“We had to make examples sometimes,” Reed said. “We went through rocky roads, and we’re still having battles even now. I think we have all learned from the tough times, from the coaching standpoint and as players.”

Reed’s first Natchez High team went 1-10, but a foundation was being laid. The Bulldogs kept working and kept improving each year. After falling one victory short of the playoffs the last two seasons, the breakthrough finally came this year when Natchez clinched a playoff berth with a 31-6 win over Wingfield.

“It was due,” Reed said. “These guys have been working hard and have come up short for several years. It was good for the players and the community to experience a playoff run.”

But while the discipline on the field might make for more victories, Reed knows that discipline off the field is even more important, which is why he stresses that to his players just as much. Reed constantly encourages his players to do well in school and represent their community well.

“As a coach, you have to realize that you want to be a part of the player’s lives and help them understand that education and how they carry themselves is more important than football,” Reed said. “That is a huge part of it. Wherever we go, we’re always trying to carry ourselves in a better light.

“Sometimes the perception is football players only deal with football. We want others to look at us in a different light. It’s about going to church together, pulling your pants up and being respectful. It’s just as much as Xs and Os, to be honest.”

Reed’s insistence is apparently making a difference, as Natchez football players’ grades improved greatly from last year.

Wide receiver Rico Richardson said Reed’s focus on academics has made an impression on him.

“The first thing he talks about is your grades,” Richardson said. “It makes me want to do well, make good grades in class. I wish he could continue to coach me in college.”

Tight end Nick Brooks said Reed’s message is one all the players learn from.

“His motto is ‘Character, academics and football,’” Brooks said. “He tells us character is what we do when no one’s watching. He instills it in us to make good choices, (and he) helps us on and off the field.”

And Brooks said Reed’s teachings have made a big difference in his life.

“Ever since I was in the eighth grade, he built me up and made me what I am today. Me and him have got that father, son relationship,” Brooks said. “He’s like a father I never had.”

Reed knows Natchez High School sometimes gets a bad reputation, and his mission is to change that, one football player at a time.

“If you come here locally, the first perception about Natchez High School might be something negative,” Reed said. “These young men have to carry themselves in such a way where that perception can change. We’re striving for excellence on the playing field and in the classroom. Our job as coaches is to remind them why we’re so tough on them in things like that.”