PHS welcomes football coach Mincy

Less than one week into the start of spring, Pensacola High principal David Williams and the PHS football program have embraced a fresh start.

"It's a new day in PHS sports history," Williams said at the news conference for new head football coach Mike Mincy. "I've been looking forward to this day. I think we have the right person for the right time at this school."

Mincy makes his return to the city he said he and his family love. And his return to a school which he held an assistant football coach role from 2008-13.

On hand to welcome Mincy was the school band, cheerleaders, current players and even football alumni who attended PHS in the 1970s.

"It was great today to see all those guys that showed up," Mincy said. "I've been amazed by the reception I've had from the alumni."

Alumni support will be critical for Mincy, as the coach plans to increase school spirit and restore PHS traditions.

But on the field, Mincy plans to continue the recent success of the Tigers. Mincy plans to run a balanced offense ... a scheme which proved efficient for the Tigers last season as the team reached the playoffs.

"One of the great things that we have at PHS is athletes," Mincy said. "We want to put our guys in space and let them make plays. We want to be high-tempo and opportunistic. We will take what the defense gives us. If it calls for us to be pass heavy then that's what we will do. If we gotta be run heavy, then that's what will happen."

And while the state's oldest high school football program will retain several of its current coaches, there may also be some new faces by the season's start.

"There is gonna be some changes," Mincy said. "But the guys that we bring in will be very in-tune to what we wanna do both on and off the field. And that brings a lot of excitement to the program. It will be a little different, but I think different in this instance will be good."

As far as the classification change (PHS will join District 1-5A after playing in 1-6A last season), Mincy won't let it affect his game plan.

"When I coached at PHS in the past, every Friday night you had to bring your 'A' game or you are gonna get beat," Mincy said. "We're basically playing the same schedule this season, besides the Panama City teams (Arnold, Mosley, Bay), which have quality programs.

"We're gonna control the stuff that we can control. We want to cut down on turnovers and take advantage of our opponents' turnovers. We'll just be very good at what we do."

The Tigers will officially usher in the Mincy era with a spring game May 22 against the Catholic Crusaders.